2009 Bronx terrorism plot

Further information: Islamic Extremism in the United States

2009 New York City bomb plot
Location of the two targets.
Location	New York
Date	attempted May 20, 2009
Attack type	attempted bombing; attempt to shoot down military aircraft
Weapon(s)	fake C-4 plastic explosives; Stinger missiles
Death(s)	0 (attack failed)
Suspected perpetrator(s)	4 individuals

On May 20, 2009, US law enforcement arrested four black Muslim men in connection with a plot to shoot down military airplanes flying out of an Air National Guard base in Newburgh, New York and blow up two synagogues in the Riverdale community of the Bronx.^[1][2]

The terrorist ring, led by James Cromitie, was tried and all were convicted. The governments conduct during the investigation came under criticism including from the judge that sentenced the defendants.

Background

See also: Islam and antisemitism and Terrorism in the United States

The attempted attack is one in a series of Islam-related attacks and failed attacks by Muslims on military installations in the United States, including the 2005 Los Angeles bomb plot, the 2007 Fort Dix attack plot, the 2009 Little Rock recruiting office shooting, and the September 11 attacks. As with the 2005 plot to attack military bases in California, some or all of the other suspects converted to Islam in prison.^[3]

Previous Islam-related terror attacks in Riverdale include the 1989 firebombing of the Riverdale Press during the controversy over The Satanic Verses and the 2000 New York terror attack.^[4]

Plot

Satellite photo of Stewart Air National Guard Base, where the accused were planning to shoot down a military aircraft.

Masjid al-Ikhlas

The events leading up to the attempted attack began in June 2008. Shahed Hussain, an Albany hotel owner and FBI informant, showed up at the Masjid al-Ikhlas mosque under the name "Maqsood", talking of jihad and violence. Members of the congregation interviewed after the terror plot was exposed said that "most" members of the congregation had believed Hussain to be an informant. None had reported his talk about Jihad to the authorities.^[5] James Cromitie, the leader, expressed interest to the informant of returning to Afghanistan, and hopefully becoming a martyr. Hussain, a Pakistani immigrant, agreed to serve as an FBI informant after being arrested in 2002 over a scam involving driver's licenses.^[6] He previously served as an informant in an unrelated terrorism investigation in Albany, which resulted in the convictions of Yassin M. Aref and Mohammed Mosharref Hossain.^[6] In the Bronx case he was reported to have used audio and video taped many of his meetings with the attackers.^[2]

In April 2009, Cromitie and his three accomplices chose their targets. They planned to both bomb the Riverdale Temple and nearby Riverdale Jewish Center in the Bronx, and, using Stinger surface-to-air guided missiles, shoot down military planes flying out of a nearby air base.^[2]

The accused attackers bought cellphones, as well as cameras, from Wal-Mart, to scout out the synagogues. They attempted to buy guns from a dealer in Newburgh; however, the dealer had sold out. They then drove downstate and bought a $700 pistol from a Bloods gang leader in Brooklyn.^[7]

On May 6, 2009, the men traveled to Stamford, Connecticut, to pick up what they believed to be a surface-to-air guided-missile system and three improvised explosive devices, all of which were incapable of actually being used.^[2] On the way there, one of the men believed they were being followed by federal agents. They returned to Newburgh until they were satisfied that they were safe, and then turned around and headed back to Stamford.^[7]

The men also conducted surveillance of military planes at the Air National Guard base, including taking photographs to prepare for the attack there.^[8][9]

Attempted attack and arrest

The men placed fake bombs wired to cell phones in three separate cars outside the Riverdale Temple and nearby Riverdale Jewish Center, both in the Riverdale community of Bronx. New York City Police Department Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said one of the suspects placed explosives, while the other three suspects served as lookouts.^[2][10]

The men were returning to their vehicle and heading to attack aircraft at the Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York, with the fake Stinger missiles when law enforcement stopped them.^[10][11] The air base shares facilities with the civilian Stewart International Airport.

As the men were returning to the vehicle, the signal was given for the arrest. An 18-wheel New York City Police Department vehicle blocked the end of the street. The FBI informer also served as the driver of the suspects’ vehicle. Another armored vehicle arrived, and officers from the department’s Emergency Service Unit smashed the blackened windows of the S.U.V., removed the men from the vehicle, and handcuffed them on the ground. None offered resistance.^[12]

Both the car bombs and the missiles were actually fakes given to the plotters with the help of an informant for the FBI.^[8] Each of the two homemade bombs was equipped with about 37 pounds of inert material designed to look like C-4 plastic explosive, and "there was no danger to anyone," Kelly said.^[12]

Trial

The four men were charged with weapons and conspiracy charges at their first court appearance on the May 21, and were detained until June 5 for a preliminary hearing.^[13] The four are being held at a Westchester County jail,^[2] and were ordered to be held without bail.^[14] The charges – conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction in the United States and conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles – carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.^[14]

All pleaded not guilty. In March 2010 defense lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the case on grounds of entrapment. Relying on materials provided by the government (including recordings and FBI agents' affidavits), the defense argued that the plot was proposed and closely directed by the FBI's informant, who "suggested the targets, paid for the defendants' groceries, bought a gun, provided the fake bombs and missile, assembled the explosive devices and acted as chauffeur".^[15]

In late August 2010, government informant Shahed Hussain testified, stating that ringleader James Cromitie "hated Jews and Jewish people and he hated the American people, American soldiers. He was full of hate on those subjects. He said he would kill the president 700 times because he's the Antichrist."^[16]. After a six week trial the 4 were convicted. The lawyers for the 4 have filed a motion for a new trial claiming that Hussain committed perjury during the trial. David Williams told the Village Voice that the 4 were not part of plot to hurt people but to swindle Hussain, and the incriminating statements were made to make Hussain believe the 4 were credible terrorists..^[17]

On June 29, 2011 three of the men Cromitie and both Onta and David Williams--were each sentenced to twenty-five years in prison for their parts in the attempted attack by Manhattan Federal Court Judge Colleen McMahon who criticized both the defendants and the governments handling of the case. McMahon referring to Cromitie said "The essence of what occurred here is that a government understandably zealous to protect its citizens from terrorism came upon a man both bigoted and suggestible, one who was incapable of committing an act of terrorism on his own," "It created acts of terrorism out of his fantasies of bravado and bigotry, and then made those fantasies come true," and added "the government did not have to infiltrate and foil some nefarious plot - there was no nefarious plot to foil." She said the defendants were "not political or religious martyrs," but "thugs for hire, pure and simple." Each of the men apologized before the sentencing with Cromitie saying "I've never been a terrorist and I'll never be a terrorist,"I'm very sorry I let myself get caught up in a sting like this." and said that the anti Jewish statements recorded on tape were made up.^[18]. On September 7, 2011 McMahon sentenced LaGuerre Payen to the same 25 year prison sentence as the other defendants.^[19]

Suspects

The terrorist suspects include four black Muslim men; three are African-American US citizens, and one is a Haitian immigrant.^[20] Cromitie, the leader, claims to have been born a Muslim; others maintain that he and some or all of the other suspects converted to Islam in prison.^[3][8] Cromitie recruited them at the Masjid al-Ikhlas mosque in Newburgh, New York.^[10]

The four men have been described as "extremely violent men" by prosecutors.^[13]

• James Cromitie (also known as Abdul Rahman),^[13] 53, the reported leader, claims that his parents live in Afghanistan and told the FBI informant that he was angry about the US military killing Muslims in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He had lived in Brooklyn and had a record of 27 arrests for minor crimes both upstate and in New York City.^[1]
• David Williams (aka Daoud)^[13]
• Onta Williams (aka Hamza)^[13]
• Laguerre Payen (aka Amin and Almondo), a native of Haiti, suffers from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.^[13] Payen often showed signs of paranoia, and kept bottles of urine in his apartment.^[2]

Reactions and aftermath

Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York City, praised the city's police department. Other local politicians also praised law enforcement and expressed relief.^[2] New York Governor David Paterson said the plot illustrated the constant terrorist threat New York faces.^[8] On May 30, 2009, New York Governor David Paterson announced he would give the Riverdale Jewish Center and the Riverdale Reform Temple $25,000 each to improve their security. The money will come from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and will primarily involve the installation of alarms and surveillance equipment.^[21]

A report released by Center for Human Rights and Global Justice at New York University’s School of Law argued that the 4 were baited by the FBI.^[22]

See also

	New York City portal
	Islam portal
	Terrorism portal

• 1973 New York bomb plot
• 1997 Empire State Building shooting
• 2004 financial buildings plot
• 2005 Los Angeles bomb plot
• 2007 Fort Dix attack plot
• 2009 Little Rock military recruiting office shooting - al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula-inspired attack by Yemen-trained jihadi
• 2011 Manhattan terrorism plot - effort by two Muslim Arab-Americans to attack a synagogue
• Buffalo Six
• Conversion to Islam in prisons
• List of terrorist incidents, 2009

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Peter, Tom A.. "New York terror plotters wanted to 'do jihad'". csmonitor.com. http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0521/p06s04-duts.html. Retrieved May 21, 2009. ^{[dead link]}
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Hernandez, Javier C.; Sewell Chan (May 21, 2009). "N.Y. Bomb Plot Suspects Acted Alone, Police Say". NYT. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/22/nyregion/22terror.html. Retrieved May 21, 2009. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Wakin, Daniel J. (May 24, 2009). "Imams Reject Talk That Islam Radicalizes Inmates". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/nyregion/24convert.html?ref=us. 
4. ^ Freedman, Samuel G. (May 30, 2009). "Two Rabbis Find They're Separated Only by Doctrine". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/30/us/30religion.html?_r=1. 
5. ^ Newburgh mosque leaders: We don’t preach hate. By Alex Weisler. May 25, 2009.
6. ^ ^{a b} Rashbaum, William K.; Kareem Fahim (23 May 2009). "Informer’s Role in Bombing Plot". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/23/nyregion/23informant.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1. Retrieved 31 March 2010. 
7. ^ ^{a b} Wilson, Michael (May 21, 2009). "In Bronx Bomb Case, Missteps Caught on Tape". NYT. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/22/nyregion/22plot.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper. Retrieved May 22, 2009. 
8. ^ ^{a b c d} Weaver, Matthew (May 21, 2009). "Four arrested over New York terrorist bomb plot | World news | guardian.co.uk". London: Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/21/new-york-terrorist-bomb-plot. Retrieved May 21, 2009. 
9. ^ Chan, Sewell (September 17, 2008). "4 Arrested in New York Terror Plot - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com". Cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/4-arrested-in-new-york-terror-plot/. Retrieved May 21, 2009. 
10. ^ ^{a b c} Daly, Michael; Gendar, Alison; Kennedy, Helen (May 21, 2009). "FBI arrest four in alleged plot to bomb Bronx synagogues, shoot down plane". New York: Nydailynews.com. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/05/20/2009-05-20_fbi_arrest_four_in_alleged_plot_to_car_bomb_bronx_synagogue.html. Retrieved May 21, 2009. 
11. ^ "Four arrested over plot to blow up New York synagogue". London: Times Online. May 21, 2009. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6331894.ece. Retrieved May 21, 2009. 
12. ^ ^{a b} Chan, Sewell (September 17, 2008). "Latest Updates in Terror Plot - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com". Cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/police-detail-disruption-of-terror-plot/. Retrieved May 21, 2009. 
13. ^ ^{a b c d e f} "US 'bomb gang extremely violent'". BBC News. May 21, 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8061772.stm. Retrieved May 21, 2009. 
14. ^ ^{a b} Candiotti, Susan (May 21, 2009). "Suspects in alleged synagogue bomb plot denied bail". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/05/21/ny.bomb.plot/. Retrieved June 6, 2009. 
15. ^ Fitgerald, Jim (19 March 2010). "Defense says NY synagogue-bomb plot was feds' idea". The Associated Press. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/19/AR2010031901779.html. Retrieved 31 March 2010. ^{[dead link]}
16. ^ Larry Neumeister (27 August 2010). "Informant takes stand in NY temple plot case". Associated Press. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hXaournxorG5EDGGyJA9X-K9Y3KwD9HS1D200. Retrieved 29 August 2010. 
17. ^ Were the Newburgh 4 Really Out to Blow Up Synagogues? A Defendant Finally Speaks Out. Village Voice March 2, 2011
18. ^ Judge gives men convicted in Bronx synagogue bomb plot 25 years in prison but lambasts government New York Daily News
19. ^ Judge slams sting in Bronx synagogue case Newsday September 7, 2011
20. ^ Baker, Al; Javier C. Hernandez (May 20, 2009). "4 Accused of Bombing Plot at Bronx Synagogues". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/nyregion/21arrests.html. Retrieved May 25, 2009. 
21. ^ Targeted Bronx synagogues to get security funds, Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), June 2, 2009.
22. ^ Report says FBI baited Newburgh 4 The Riverdale Press June 1, 2011