LUBBOCK, TEXAS (BNO NEWS) — A 20-year-old Saudi Arabian man on Monday pleaded not guilty to one charge of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction in Lubbock, Texas, KCBD television reported.
Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari, 20, a Lubbock resident, declined to have the indictment read during an arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Koenig. The trial was set for May 2. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Aldawsari was arrested on February 23 by FBI agents in Texas on a federal charge of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction in connection with his alleged purchase of chemicals and equipment necessary to make an improvised explosive device (IED) and his research of potential U.S. targets.
The terrorist suspect allegedly researched online how to construct an IED using several chemicals as ingredients. He also acquired or took a substantial step toward acquiring most of the ingredients and equipment necessary to construct the explosive.
In addition, he has allegedly described his desire for violent jihad and martyrdom in blog postings and a personal journal as well as researching for potential targets in U.S. soil, among them power plants, hydro dams, and the home of former President George W. Bush.
Aldawsari was lawfully admitted into the United States in 2008 on a student visa and is enrolled at South Plains College near Lubbock. On February 1, a chemical supplier reported to the FBI a suspicious attempted purchase of concentrated phenol by the defendant.
Phenol is a toxic chemical with legitimate uses, but can also be used to make the explosive trinitrophenol, also known as T.N.P., or picric acid. The chemical is also usually mixed with concentrated sulfuric and nitric acids for such goal.
Aldawsari allegedly attempted to have the phenol order shipped to a freight company so it could be held for him there, but the freight company returned the order to the supplier and called the police.
The defendant cancelled his order and later e-mailed himself instructions for producing phenol. In December 2010, he had previously purchased concentrated nitric and sulfuric acids.
Two legally authorized searches of Aldawsari’s apartment conducted by the FBI in February 2011 resulted in the discovery of the chemicals and other items used in the preparation of explosives, including gas mask, a Hazmat suit, a soldering iron kit, glass beakers and flasks, wiring, a stun gun, clocks and a battery tester.
FBI agents also found a notebook at Aldawsari’s residence that appeared to be a diary or journal where he had written plans to commit a terrorist attack in the United States for years.
not all muslim that are terrorist, but all terrorist are muslim. my problem is, i don’t know which muslim is a terrorist, so you know what, i do not trust eny muslim. and i am very much concern that my fellow dominican men are being recuited into muslim gihad. MUSLIM – ALWAYS, you are a very scary person. base on what you say, im not shure if you are a terrorist or a true muslim.
You want me to turn the other cheek? No my friend. We have a legitimate right to defend ourselves, our properties and our families. As I mentioned I condemn the killing of innocent people but I support the retaliation against U.S troops and her allies.
Thus, once you are not in the army or attacks muslims in any way then your life and property is expected to be protected, this is Islamic law even if you are not a muslim.
Those who kill innocent people indiscriminately are going against divine boundaries.
Well get it right, people in Dominica are coming into Islam whether you like it or not. Dominica is peaceful, no one is torturing muslims, thus there is no reason for military jihad here. However, the atrocities being committed against muslims like guantanamo bay where muslims are held for no reason, no trial, no rights, all US soldiers and crusaders are legitimate targets for jihad because they are oppressors and oppressors are fought!
Lol @ Sadist:
All praises be to Allah, if this man intends to attack one innocent civilian or non combatant then this is clearly wrong. This is intention to commit murder and the believers in Allah STRONGLY condemn these actions.
Today, the United Snakes of Satan and allies have lauched a crusader’s war against Islam. We are not deceived by the terms integration, fighting terrorism, fighting fundamentalism and radicalism. The United Snakes of Satan and allies are busy bombing and killing millions of innocent civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq in a decade old war. Up till now, they cannot find any Osama bin Laden. They claim that Sadam Hussein has WMD, however, not one of these weapons were found. Secondly, why Sadam Hussein didn’t use these weapons against the forces? We know this is pure deception. On this note that millions of innocent muslim civilians are killed by Coalition soldiers, I believe that every American military stronghold should be raided and attacked vigorously until it comes crumbling down! This is only a fair and just! The muslims have a universal right to wage jihad against American combatants and those who finance the wars!
Our prayers will continue across the world to curse the oppressors within America and her zionist allies until Allah sends hurricanes, pestilence and all the other natural disasters to further place them in debt.
Lastly, our fight is not directed towards the ordinary American who doesn’t know better, just going about his business to make a daily bread. We do not hate the American people, we hate the zionist regime.
Satan have you bound, you need to repent. YOU SOUND SO HATEFUL, YOUR SOUL IS STILL SEARCHING. PRAY THAT YOU WILL SEE THE LIGHT BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE.
Yeah I hate oppression and oppressors even if he is muslim or non muslim. I believe all of them should be fought if all other means have been exhausted. This is a real world and some people unfortunately understand by the bullet!
Mai ou paka weh vejai sala say un vejai terror.
Guilty until proven innocent.Terrorism is unacceptable.
and i hope he is not YOU that muslim always