Kevin James (alleged terrorist)
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On 31 August 2005, Kevin James and three other men were indicted on terrorism charges related to conspiracy to attack military facilities in the Los Angeles area and of attempting to fund their campaign by robbing gas stations in Southern California over the previous three months. Kevin James, a Muslim convert, was accused of founding a radical Islamic group called J.I.S (Jam’iyyat Ul-Islam Is-Saheeh, Arabic for "Assembly of Authentic Islam") from his cell in Folsom Prison in California, and of recruiting fellow inmates to join his mission to kill infidels.[1]
The announcement of the arrests was made by the Attorney-General Alberto Gonzales in the presence of the director of the FBI Robert Mueller in Washington D.C.[2]
The terrorism case arose after police in Torrance arrested two of the men on 5 July in connection with armed robberies.[3]
The men are due to go on trial in October 2006 after over a year of being held in jail.[4]
Robert Mueller mentioned the incident in a "Major Executive Speech" in June 2006 on the day that the Miami bomb plot to attack the Sears Tower was announced.[5] The Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI outlined the case in his congressional testimony in September 2006.[6]
[edit] The suspects
- Kevin James, 29, Muslim convert, a U.S. national, allegedly founded J.I.S. (Jam’iyyat Ul-Islam Is-Saheeh) in 2004 while in prison, recruiting fellow inmates, and then others after his release in December 2004.
- Levar Washington, 25, Muslim convert, a U.S. national; arrested 5 July for armed robbery.
- Gregory Patterson, 21, Muslim convert, a U.S. national; purchased a .223-caliber rifle and arrested 5 July for armed robbery.
- Hammad Samana, 21, born Muslim, a lawful permanent U.S. resident originally from Pakistan; allegedly trained with firearms. Arrested on 2 August.[3]
[edit] Conviction
On 14 December, Kevin James pled guilty to "conspiracy to levy war against the United States through terrorism" and faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Levar Washington also pled guilty to the same in addition to a weapons charge and could get 25.
Gregory Patterson is expected to accept a plea deal, and Hammad Samana is currently undergoing psychiatric treatment.[7]
In an interview with the prosecutor, the reporter remarked that "the cell appears to have been remarkably indiscreet about committing plans to paper. They even left the text of a press release Mr. James had written for use once they committed a successful attack. And one of the ringleaders, James, was in prison the whole time."[7] Documents such as these formed the basis of the evidence, since the group hadn't gotten to the point of gathering materials to make explosives.
[edit] References
- ^ Department of Justice (31 August 2006). "Four Men Indicted on Terrorism Charges Related to Conspiracy to Attack Military Facilities, Other Targets". Press release. Retrieved on 2006-10-17.
- ^ Department of Justice (31 August 2005). "Prepared Remarks of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales at the California Terrorism Indictment Press Conference". Press release. Retrieved on 2006-10-17.
- ^ a b Marquez, Jeremiah; Mark Sherman. "Four indicted in alleged terrorist plot against LA-area targets", SF Gate, 1 September 2005. Retrieved on 2006-10-17.
- ^ "National Briefing - West: California: Trial Date Set In Suspected Bomb Plot", New York Times, 18 October 2005. Retrieved on 2006-10-17.
- ^ FBI (23 June 2006). "Remarks Prepared for Delivery by Director Robert S. Mueller, III". Press release. Retrieved on 2006-10-17.
- ^ FBI (19 September 2006). "[http://www.fbi.gov/congress/congress06/vanduyn091906.htm Statement of Donald Van Duyn Deputy Assistant Director, Counterterrorism Division Federal Bureau of Investigation Before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and Related Agencies]". Press release. Retrieved on 2006-10-17.
- ^ a b Murr, Andrew. "Thwarting Terror", Newsweek, 15 December 2007. Retrieved on 2007-12-16.
