Feds on the hunt!!

[Meehowski]

Feds search for Middle Eastern man who tried to buy same explosive McVeigh used

By John Solomon, Associated Press, 1/5/2005 13:39

WASHINGTON (AP) Federal authorities searched Wednesday for a man using a Middle Eastern name and possible bogus construction credentials to try to purchase large quantities of the same explosive used by Timothy McVeigh to blow up the Oklahoma City federal building.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said there is no indication yet that terrorism is involved, but the agency is still checking information that came from a company in Canada that reported the attempted purchase as suspicious.

ATF is asking the fertilizer and explosives industries to help locate the man and to report any suspicious inquiries for the fertilizer chemical ammonium nitrate, which is used to make so-called fertilizer bombs.

''We're still running down leads. But we thought it would be prudent putting out an advisory to the fertilizer industry,'' said Tom Mangin, an ATF agent in Phoenix, where the investigation is centered.

The suspect also made several Internet email inquiries to vendors seeking to buy between 500 to 1,000 metric tons of the explosive a quantity larger than McVeigh used to bomb the Oklahoma City federal building in April 1995 but smaller than amounts companies typically might buy in bulk for construction, explosives or farm work.

The International Society of Explosives Engineers, based in Cleveland, sent an e-mail Wednesday alerting its members and asking them to call ATF in Phoenix to report any suspicious activity.

''ATF has recently been made aware of a suspicious attempt by an individual to purchase mass quantities of ammonium nitrate, specifically between 500 to 1,000 metric tons,'' the alert said. ''This individual, who uses a Middle Eastern name, purports to be a representative of a construction corporation. However, indications are that this is most likely false.

''The individual has previously made contact with other industry members via e-mail seeking the large amounts of 'fertilizer grade' ammonium nitrate,'' the alert said.

Ammonium nitrate has been linked to several recent terror plots.

Less than a year ago, Homeland Security officials put out a warning about unsubstantiated intelligence suggesting that al-Qaida or like terrorists might try to smuggle ammonium nitrate bombs aboard public transportation venues such as trains, subways or buses.

Jordanian authorities alleged in an indictment last summer that Iraqi insurgency leader Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi, backed by al-Qaida, financed a plot for suicide bombers armed with chemicals for an ammonium nitrate bomb to try to attack the country's intelligence agency building.

And in Chicago, a disgruntled ex-con was charged with plotting to blow up the federal courthouse in downtown after he was arrested during a sting with a pickup truck containing 1,500 pounds of fertilizer he thought was ammonium nitrate. Prosecutors allege he planned to sell the chemical to terrorists.

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/005/wash/F..._EasternP.shtml

[Shawn]

And in Chicago, a disgruntled ex-con was charged with plotting to blow up the federal courthouse in downtown after he was arrested during a sting with a pickup truck containing 1,500 pounds of fertilizer he thought was ammonium nitrate. Prosecutors allege he planned to sell the chemical to terrorists.

Isn't this entrapment? He had no plans to blow up the federal building, he was trying to sell the fertilizer to 'terrorists". They, in turn, had to have been the people who said they planned to blow up the federal building, and once he agreed to sell they charged him with conspiracy charges. Who had the conspiracy?

[rant]

Had they told him they were going to use the fertilizer to blow up Air Force One would he really be plotting to kill the Prez? Which would see him fry during the "war effort".

I bet I could put Dude on some pretty dirty lists were I to send him an electronic egg timer with "use this to get the prez" written on the outside of the package. They probably wouldn't really believe he had anything planned, but he'd be added to the lists regardless. That's all without him having even known I was sending the egg timer. Then imagine him trying to take a trip to the middle east. I'm guessing they wouldn't let him back into the country.

[/rant]

[Ken]

Isn't this entrapment? He had no plans to blow up the federal building, he was trying to sell the fertilizer to 'terrorists". They, in turn, had to have been the people who said they planned to blow up the federal building, and once he agreed to sell they charged him with conspiracy charges. Who had the conspiracy?

[rant]

Had they told him they were going to use the fertilizer to blow up Air Force One would he really be plotting to kill the Prez? Which would see him fry during the "war effort".

I bet I could put Dude on some pretty dirty lists were I to send him an electronic egg timer with "use this to get the prez" written on the outside of the package. They probably wouldn't really believe he had anything planned, but he'd be added to the lists regardless. That's all without him having even known I was sending the egg timer. Then imagine him trying to take a trip to the middle east. I'm guessing they wouldn't let him back into the country.

[/rant]

I personally think you're right, but let's not start joyfully fellating the guy because he was put into that situation. He did bite, and regardless of anything else, he had personal intentions to do harm (I’m not talking about his charges, a case, or any legal bullshit; I’m talking about the man himself).

Let us always remember, there can be more than one piece of shit in a situation.

Edited January 6, 2005 by Ken

[Redneck4sure]

It's entrapment if the police come to him and offer to sell. It is a sting operation if he comes to them and offers to buy. They probably got word of his intentions and posed as a supplier of what he wanted to buy. When he offered to buy is when he got busted.

[Ken]

From the description, it seems more like entrapment.

It's too close for me to care though. Fuck him. Prison for him.

Edited January 6, 2005 by Ken

[DudeAsInCool]

It's entrapment - but sounds like he deserves whatever fate is in store

[Warflower]

''The individual has previously made contact with other industry members via e-mail seeking the large amounts of 'fertilizer grade' ammonium nitrate,'' the alert said.

Off with his head!