U.S. arrests terror suspects in plot to attack Seattle military processing center

[News_Editor]

U.S. arrests terror suspects in plot to attack Seattle military processing center

2011-06-24 02:44:23 GMT+7 (ICT)

SEATTLE (BNO NEWS) -- Two terror suspects from California and Washington state were arrested on Wednesday evening in relation with an alleged plot to attack a military processing center in Seattle, prosecutors said on Thursday.

33-year-old Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif, who is also known as Joseph Anthony Davis, of Seattle, and 32-year-old Walli Mujahidh, who is also known as Frederick Domingue, Jr., of Los Angeles, are accused of buying machines guns which they intended to use in an attack on a military entrance processing station in East Marginal Way, Seattle.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, law enforcement had been monitoring Abdul-Latif and Mujahidh, including the weapons transaction. Unbeknownst to the defendants, the weapons were rendered inoperable and posed no risk to the public. The defendants initially planned an attack on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, but later changed targets, according to the complaint. The defendants allegedly intended to carry out their attack with both grenades and machine guns.

"The complaint alleges these men intended to carry out a deadly attack against our military where they should be most safe, here at home," said U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan. "This is a sobering reminder of our need to be vigilant and that our first line of defense is the people who live in our community. We were able to disrupt the plot because someone stepped forward and reported it to authorities."

Law enforcement first became aware of the potential threat when a citizen alerted them that he or she had been approached about participating in the attack and supplying firearms to the conspirators. The person then agreed to work with law enforcement, which began monitoring Abdul-Latif and Mujahidh. Since early June the conspirators were captured on audio and videotape discussing a violent assault on the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPs). The MEPS is where each branch of the military screens and processes enlistees. In addition to housing many civilian and military employees, the building houses a federal daycare center.

"Driven by a violent, extreme ideology, these two young Americans are charged with plotting to murder men and women who were enlisting in the Armed Forces to serve and protect our country. This is one of a number of recent plots targeting our military here at home," said Todd Hinnen, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security. "The threat was averted by the combined efforts of the federal, state and local law enforcement officers that make up the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force."

Abdul-Latif and Mujahidh are charged by complaint with conspiracy to murder officers and employees of the United States, conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction (grenades), and possession of firearms in furtherance of crimes of violence. Abdul-Latif is also charged with two counts of illegal possession of firearms.

"This attack was foiled because of the trust and relationships the men and women of the Seattle Police Department enjoy with our community," said Seattle Police Chief John Diaz. "The complainant felt safe approaching a Seattle Police Detective and, in doing so, ended the plot intended to take innocent lives. This cooperative investigation involving local, state, and federal partners worked exactly as intended."

Both defendants are expected to make their initial appearance on the complaint on Thursday afternoon. If found guilty, both Abdul-Latif and Mujahidh face potential sentences of life in prison.

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