........................
Kansas City, Missouri Bombing Scheme Becomes First Islamist inspired Terror Plot of 2017 and 94th Islamist-inspired terror plot or attack within the US since Sept. 11, 2001:
DOJ press release: "Hester predicted that it was “going to be a good day for Muslims worldwide.”"
2/21/17, "Missouri Man Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS," justice.gov
"On Oct. 15, 2016, two days after Hester’s release on bond, an FBI employee using an undercover identity contacted Hester by private message. The FBI employee had accepted a friend request from Hester the day before Hester was arrested for the grocery store incident. They continued to communicate via social media, text and an encrypted messaging app, the affidavit says, during which Hester presented himself as a security threat, stating, for example, that the U.S. government should be “overthrown,” and suggesting “hitting” the government “hard,” while noting that it would not be “a one man job.” Hester identified categories of potential targets for attack and said he wanted a “global jihad.” Hester stated that he was trying to find like-minded people to help. When the undercover employee mentioned “brothers,” Hester said he wanted to meet them.
Hester then established that he would act on the statements he made online. In early November 2016, the affidavit says, Hester made arrangements with the undercover employee – whom he never met in person – to meet with “one of the brothers.” The undercover employee arranged this meeting with another undercover FBI employee.
During a January 31 meeting, the undercover employee provided Hester with a list of items to purchase, including 9-volt batteries, duct tape, copper wire and roofing nails. The undercover employee implied that these items would be used to make bombs, the affidavit says, stating that those materials are needed “to make … things … to bring some kind of destruction.” Hester allegedly responded by stating: “I’m just ready to help. I’m ready to help any way I can.” When the undercover employee stated that what they were planning was “going to bring them to their knees … and then they gonna know to fear Allah,” Hester expressed his anticipation by stating: “I can’t wait. I can’t wait.”
Hester and the undercover employee agreed to meet again at Hester’s residence the next day....The undercover employee told Hester that he could “walk away,” the affidavit says, but Hester said, “I’m down.” The undercover employee told Hester they were going to “wage all kinda war,” and Hester again expressed his approval....
The undercover employee stated that they had more backpacks that they were going to put in different locations. Hester acknowledged that he understood, and stated that they had to be smarter than the Boston Marathon bombers. Hester again confirmed that he was “down,” the affidavit says, and that he understood they had to “lay low” and act in a manner to avoid detection....
According to the affidavit, Hester contacted the first undercover employee via text message on February 2, and indicated he would “have some more stuff…in a couple of weeks when I get paid.”...
On February 4, 6, 7, 11 and 16 Hester communicated with an undercover employee via an encrypted messaging app. Hester said that he was excited, that he was “happy to be part” of it, and that it was “time they answer for their atrocities.” Hester predicted that it was “going to be a good day for Muslims worldwide.” Hester asked how the “party plan” was coming along and reiterated that he would get more “supplies.” The undercover employee told Hester that the “party” would take place on Presidents’ Day and that the targets of the operation would include busses, trains and a train station in Kansas City. Hester said, according to the affidavit, that it felt “good to help strike back at the true terrorist.”...
This case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian P. Casey and David Raskin, with the assistance of Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section."...
...............................
3/6/17, "Kansas City Bombing Scheme Becomes First Terror Plot of 2017," The Daily Signal, Riley Walters
"The FBI arrested Robert Lorenzo Hester on Feb. 17 and charged him with planning bombings in Kansas City, Missouri. The FBI said Hester, of Columbia, Missouri, plotted with undercover agents to use pipe bombs, some fitted with nails for maximum damage, to attack a train station and nearby buses.
This was the 94th Islamist-inspired terror plot or attack within the US since Sept. 11, 2001.
The FBI said it became aware of Hester, 25, when he showed an affinity for the Islamic State, or ISIS, on social media.
Hester made contact with an undercover FBI employee one day before being arrested in relation to an unrelated incident. He had thrown a folded pocket knife through a grocery store window during an argument with his wife, the FBI said, and was confronted by store employees....
Twelve days later...the undercover FBI employee contacted Hester via private online message. In their communications, Hester came to be considered a security threat by making numerous statements in support of ISIS and by stating his desire for a “global jihad.”
The undercover agent gave Hester a shopping list of things to purchase to make explosives, which he retrieved by the next day.
Hester told the agent he could arrange to supply ammunition for three rifles and two handguns. He said he couldn’t make the purchases himself because of the current charges, but knew a friend who could supply him.
The FBI arrested Hester after he continued to express intent to execute an attack in Missouri.
Born in America and the father of two, Hester served in the Army for less than a year before reportedly receiving a general discharge in 2013.
This case becomes the 83rd terror plot or attack to have some homegrown element. It also is the first confirmed plot of 2017.
Twelve plots or attacks occurred in 2016, and 17 in 2015. The increase over the past couple of years can be correlated with the rise of ISIS."...
...........................
Article linked above: "Hester predicted that it was, "going to be a good day for Muslims worldwide."...
2/21/2017, "Columbia man arrested for attempting to help ISIS, Department of Justice says," KMIZ, abcnews17.com, Columbia, Missouri, Deborah Kendrick
Robert Lorenzo Hester, Jr., 25, of Columbia was charged in federal court based on his role in making preparations to launch a terrorist attack with persons he believed were associated with ISIS, who were actually undercover law enforcement personnel.
“As alleged in the complaint, Robert Lorenzo Hester, Jr. attempted to provide material support to ISIS by participating in what he believed would be a deadly attack committed in the name of the foreign terrorist organization,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary McCord.
FBI begins investigation
The investigation began when the FBI found Hester’s social media posts, in which he expressed hate towards the U.S. Hester used several online aliases, including
“Mohammed Junaid Al Amreeki,”
“Junaid Muhammad,”
“Rabbani Junaid Muhammad,”
“Rami Talib” and
“Ali Talib Muhammad.”
Hester's profile picture for two of his accounts on social media had the image of the Black Flag of Tawhid.
The communication between the undercover agent and Hester started through a "social media platform" back in October 2016.
The conversations continued for several months eventually moving to an encrypted messaging app.
Hester indicated through his statements and actions that he was ready and willing to participate and assist in the "plot." He obtained, at the undercover's request, items that he was told would be used as bomb components, including boxes of roofing nails. The undercover made it clear to Hester that the nails' purpose was to maximize the number of causalities. In addition, Hester showed the undercover agent guns, and pipes that would be used to construct bombs.
The potential attacks planned to happen on Presidents Day on buses, trains, and a train station in Kansas City.
On several dates and meetups with the undercover agent, Hester predicted that it was, "going to be a good day for Muslims worldwide." Referring to the attack as the "party plan."
Hester is a U.S. citizen who was born in Missouri. He was enlisted in the U.S. Army for less than a year, receiving a general discharge from service in 2013. That's not the same as an honorable discharge.
ABC 17 News was still working to find out the exact reason for Hester's discharge Tuesday. General discharge reasons can range from physical or mental conditions and bad conduct to something as simple as military personnel cutbacks.
Hester admitted to the agent he recently converted to Islam and attended a local mosque, stating how he wanted the hate for Muslims in the United States to stop.
Hester was arrested on Feb. 17 and is being held in federal custody.
He arrived at an arranged meeting with an undercover law enforcement employee. The criminal complaint was signed on Sunday and made public today, when Hester made his initial court appearance.
Columbia neighbors react
A Robert Lorenzo Hester Jr. is listed as living on the 1700 block of Hanover Boulevard in Columbia, where there was an FBI presence last Friday.
Residents in the area were shocked to hear the news and said she was considering moving.
"I'm still stuttering, I'm still shocked," Loverna Shepherd said. "For real? On this block? Wow! This is my reaction when he (her fiance) was telling me that, I'm still like that now."
However, a close friend to Hester and neighbor painted a different picture of Hester.
"He is not a terrorist," Robert Shatlain said. "He is no way in God's green earth he's a terrorist. He is a loving husband, father, son and no one will ever convince me otherwise."
ABC 17 News knocked on the Hester residence's door, but the family had no comment at this time.
October 2016 knife incident
This was not Hester's first run-in with the law. In October 2016, he was accused of throwing a knife through a window at Columbia's Conley Road HyVee.
Court documents said Hester was in an argument with his wife at the time and had a gun in his diaper bag. He was charged with felony property damage and felony unlawful use of a weapon.
After the incident, Hester was released on bond and was being electronically monitored.
In January, a warrant was issued for Hester for violating bond conditions. His urine had tested positive for marijuana." Image of Hester from KMIZ
.................
As of 10/20/2016, 92 Islamist terror attacks and plots took place in the US since 9/11/2001:
10/20/2016, "Islamist Terrorist Attacks and Plots Against the US Homeland Rise to 92," dailysignal.com, Riley Walters, David Inserra
and
From March 2014 to Feb 2017, 114 people in the US faced Islamic terrorism charges: Reuters:
2/10/17, "New York man accused of bomb plot admits Islamic State support," Reuters, Raymond, NY
"He is one of 114 people to face U.S. charges since March 2014 related to the Islamic State militant group."...
...................................
2 of 3 recent Islamic terror arrests in US were US National Guard soldiers:
2/10/17, "Former US National Guard soldier jailed for ISIS support," BBC
--------------
Added: "There are over 10,000 open terror investigations underway the U.S.....It takes 30 agents a week for the FBI to monitor one individual suspected of terrorism."
9/28/2016, "GOP Senators Expose Refugee Danger," Lifezette, Edmund Kozak
"There are over 10,000 open terror investigations underway the U.S.....It takes 30 agents a week for the FBI to monitor one individual suspected of terrorism....The U.S. simply does not have the necessary manpower to monitor potential hundreds or thousands of Islamic militants who could enter disguised as refugees."
...................
No comments:
Post a Comment