|
NEWARK, N.J. – Two New Jersey men have been arrested and charged in a federal criminal complaint with conspiring to kill, maim, and kidnap persons outside the United States, United States Attorney Paul J. Fishman, Newark Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward, New York Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (OHSP) Director Charles B. McKenna announced today.
The defendants – United States citizens Mohamed Mahmood Alessa, 20, of North Bergen, New Jersey, and Carlos Eduardo Almonte, 24, of Elmwood Park, New Jersey – were taken into custody at JFK International Airport in New York on Saturday, where they intended to take separate flights to Egypt on their way to Somalia to join designated Foreign Terrorist Organization Al Shabaab and wage violent jihad.
Waiting for the defendants at the airport was a law enforcement team holding arrest warrants issued by the United States District Court in Newark.
The defendants are expected to appear on Monday, June 7, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. before United States Magistrate Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court.
According to the Complaint unsealed today, in October 2006, the FBI received a tip concerning the defendants' activities. As the investigation continued, an NYPD Intelligence Division undercover officer recorded numerous meetings and conversations with them, during which the defendants discussed and prepared to carry out their plan.
Those preparations included saving thousands of dollars, physically conditioning themselves, engaging in paintball and other tactical training, acquiring military gear and apparel for use overseas, and purchasing airline tickets to Egypt with the intent to then travel to Somalia.
The defendants also discussed their obligation to wage violent jihad and at times expressed a willingness to commit acts of violence in the United States. For example, on November 29, 2009, Alessa stated to Almonte and the UC: "They only fear you when you have a gun and when you – when you start killing them, and when you – when you take their head, and you go like this, and you behead it on camera . . . We'll start doing killing here, if I can't do it over there [Italics indicate translation]."
The next day, Alessa stated to the undercover officer: "I leave this time, God Willing, I never come back. I'll never see this crap hole. Only way I would come back here is if I was in the land of jihad and the leader ordered me to come back here and do something here. Ah, I love that."
On April 25, 2010, Almonte stated that there would soon be American troops in Somalia, which was good because it would not be as gratifying to kill only Africans.
The defendants also watched and played for the undercover officer numerous video and audio recordings that promoted violent jihad, including lectures by Anwar al-Awlaki and videos featuring attacks by Al Shabaab and other terrorist groups.
U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman stated: "This case demonstrates the seriousness with which our Office and our law enforcement partners regard those who seek to join the ranks of violent extremists. When Alessa and Almonte schemed to engage in violent jihad, we were listening. When they attempted to leave the country, we were waiting. We will continue to be vigilant and to protect against terrorism no matter where its adherents intend to do harm."
Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward said, "This case exemplifies the close coordination of resources between the New Jersey JTTF and NYPD Intel. During the course of this investigation, the subjects were confirmed to be committed individuals with operational intent. Their planned travel overseas to link with a Foreign Terrorist Organization precipitated their arrests."
"I want to commend United States Attorney Paul J. Fishman and his assistants, along with the Newark JTTF and our other Federal and New Jersey partners who worked closely with the NYPD’s Intelligence Division in this important case. As in gun trafficking and narcotics investigations, the NYPD cannot acknowledge publicly individual undercover police officers who have infiltrated suspects. Nonetheless, we are indebted to them. Even when individuals plan to support terrorist activity abroad, we remain concerned that once they reach their foreign destinations they may be redirected against targets back home, as we've seen in the past. We are also concerned that should they remain undetected and fail in their foreign aspirations that they might strike domestically, as was discussed as a possibility in this case. The New York City Police Department has long been concerned about the threat posed by individuals radicalized in the United States, and welcomes its emphasis in the President's National Security Strategy published last month," said Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly.
"The radicalization of our youth, like gang recruitment, is real and continues to pose concerns," said Director Charles B. McKenna. "We must be vigilant in stopping our young men and women from being co-opted and trained to do us harm."
If convicted of the charge, the defendants face a maximum potential penalty of life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Fishman praised the work of the FBI and Newark Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), the NYPD, and the New Jersey OHSP in conducting the investigation and apprehension of the defendants. He also thanked the FBI in New York for its assistance in making the arrests.
The JTTF is made up of agents and officers of the Department of State, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection, New Jersey State Police, Jersey City Police Department, Bayonne Police Department, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and other law enforcement agencies.
The Government is represented by Assistant Unites States Attorneys Andrew Kogan and L. Judson Welle of the United States Attorney's Office National Security Unit, and Alamdar S. Hamdani, Trial Attorney, Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
 NEWARK, N.J. – Two New Jersey men have been arrested and charged in a federal criminal complaint with conspiring to kill, maim, and kidnap persons outside the United States, United States Attorney Paul J. Fishman, Newark Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward, New York Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (OHSP) Director Charles B. McKenna announced today.
|
Home
News
Features
Community
Forums
Blogs
Businesses
NEWARK, N.J. – Ronald J. O'Malley, the former Chairman and a Commissioner of the Bergen County Improvement Authority and a principal in a Ridgewood, N.J. mortgage brokerage firm, was indicted today along with a loan officer and vice president of the firm for perpetrating an alleged mortgage fraud scheme.
BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. - The 2010 Bergen Bike Tour will be held on Sunday, September 26, at Darlington County Park in Mahwah, New Jersey. Proceeds will support the Tomorrow's Children's Fund and the Volunteer Center of Bergen County, both of which have been the beneficiaries of this event for the past fifteen years.
HACKENSACK, N.J. - Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney on Friday issued an Executive Order imposing mandatory water restrictions at the request of United Water New Jersey. Effective immediately, United Water retail customers in Bergen County may only water their lawns based on an odd-even system and only between certain hours.
HACKENSACK, N.J. - Bergen County recognized the importance of Coast Guard Day, a commemorative holiday which celebrates the birth of the Coast Guard on August 4, 1790 when the first Congress authorized the creation of the revenue cutter service.
HACKENSACK, N.J. – Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney is speaking out about the "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" production company leaving New Jersey, due to the State's elimination of the film and tax credit.
ENGLEWOOD, N.J. - The Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) has gone mobile with the launch of its new "Text-To-Give" fundraising program. Theater goers, music lovers, and visitors to the center now have a new way to support bergenPAC's arts and education programs.
HACKENSACK, N.J. - Bergen County Sheriff Leo McGuire was elected to the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) Board of Directors at NSA's annual conference from June 26 through 30, 2010 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.
PSE&G issued the following Hot Weather Update Wednesday morning at 6:00 a.m.: "About 6,500 PSE&G customers are currently without power this morning due to the extreme heat. Municipalities with more than 500 customers affected include: Fairview, Elizabeth and Jersey City. The utility serves 2.1 million customers statewide.
HACKENSACK, N.J. - Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney today issued a county-wide heat alert and announced the opening of four "Cooling Centers" to help local residents beat the heat.
BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. - The HandsOn Network/Points of Light Institute has named the Northern New Jersey Business Volunteer Council (BVC) as the Corporate Volunteer Council of the Year. The award was accepted by representatives from the BVC on June 29th at the annual National Conference on Volunteering and Service held in New York City.
With temperatures expected to reach nearly 100 on Tuesday and Wednesday, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) urges residents to take steps to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
A statement from Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney regarding the earthquake tremors felt in Hackensack today:
Everyone loves being outside in the summer, and whether you are vacationing at the Jersey Shore, biking in a state park, or just relaxing in your backyard, you need to safeguard you and your family from West Nile virus.
The Bergen Youth Orchestra, the oldest youth orchestral organization in northern New Jersey, recently awarded Jacob Kallman of Franklin Lakes a scholarship generously funded and created by Seiji Shiraishi of Fort Lee, NJ.
BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. - The Bergen Youth Orchestras (BYO), the oldest youth orchestral organization in northern New Jersey, recently held its final concert of the 2010 season.
East Rutherford, N.J. - According to an article on TMZ.com, the New Meadowlands Stadium has recently received an offer of 25 million dollars for the naming rights of the new stadium from an adulterers dating website, AshleyMadison.com
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - NJ TRANSIT announced the lucky winners of its Bon Jovi ticket sweepstakes, which launched last week to give customers an incentive to check out its Summer Services on njtransit.com/summer.
TENAFLY, N.J. - Maxfit Indoor Cycling and the Oxygen Fitness Club in Tenafly have been named the "official indoor training facilities" for the American Cancer Society's George Washington Bridge Challenge, which will be held on June 13.
BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. - Since 1977, the Chore Volunteer Handyman Service of the Volunteer Center of Bergen County has been helping the increasing numbers of elderly and/or disabled people in Bergen County remain safe in their own homes by performing minor household repairs.
BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. - Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli today announced the arrest of Andrew J. Miller of West Collingswood, New Jersey, and Anthony Dirosa of Clementon, New Jersey on child endangement charges, based on Internet chats and instant messages with whom they believed were children under the age of 16.
HACKENSACK, N.J. – Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney and the Council of Irish Associations of Greater Bergen County, Inc. will host the annual Great Hunger Commemoration on Saturday, May 8 at 11:00 a.m.
EMERSON, N.J. – Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney and the Board of Chosen Freeholders recently hosted a commemoration ceremony for Armenian Genocide victims. The event was held near the Armenian Genocide Memorial monument in Emerson, dedicated in July 1990 by the Knights of Vartan, Bakradouny Lodge No. 38.
HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, N.J. – The 200 Club of Bergen County yesterday honored Bergen County Sheriff's Officer Richard Riotto at its 24th Annual Valor Luncheon. Officer Riotto, along with two Saddle Brook Police Officers, received the Distinguished Service Award for their actions taken at the scene of an accident on the afternoon of Dec. 17, 2009.
WEST TRENTON, N.J. - New Jersey State Attorney General Paula T. Dow today announced a revised AMBER Alert plan designed to provide law enforcement officials with clear criteria to determine when they should activate the emergency broadcast system to seek public assistance in locating a child who was recently abducted and is believed to be in danger, including family abductions.
BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. – Mint juleps and fancy hats will be the order of the day at the annual Derby Day Party to benefit the Volunteer Center of Bergen County, on Saturday, May 1, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at White Beeches Country Club in Haworth.
Points: 387
Points: 302
Points: 183
Points: 147
Points: 136
1956 Safety Patrol Film St.Mary's Rutherford NJ Classic Rutherford!
SEX~FOOD~ROCK&ROLL Pretty HOT Boom Boom!
Bergen County Zoo, Van Saun Park, Paramus, New Jersey I'm excited to go to Van Saun Park again.Its been many years,last time I was there.Thank you,for the video Lou Ryder.shace58