FBI sting nabs 5 in alleged NE Ohio bridge bomb plot
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
(CBS News) Five alleged anarchists have been arrested after a
months-long sting operation, charged with plotting to blow up a
bridge in the Cleveland area, the FBI announced today.
CBS News senior correspondent John Miller reports the group had
been involved in a series of escalating plots that ended with their
arrest last night by FBI agents.
The sting operation supplied the anarchists with what they
thought were "explosives" and bomb-making materials.
At no time during the case was the public in danger, the FBI
said.
Douglas L. Wright, 26; Brandon L. Baxter, 20; and Anthony Hayne,
35, were arrested by members of the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task
Force last night, on charges of conspiracy and attempted use of
explosive materials to damage physical property affecting
interstate commerce.
Also arrested were Connor C. Stevens, 20, and Joshua S.
Stafford, 23.
The criminal complaint was filed this morning in U.S. District
Court in Cleveland.
FBI Complaint: U.S. v. Wright (pdf)
According to law enforcement sources, the five were not
connected to international terrorism.
"The initial plot involved the use of smoke grenades to distract
law enforcement in order for the co-conspirators to topple
financial institution signs atop high rise buildings in downtown
Cleveland," according to the complaint.
The FBI says over the course of several months the accused
discussed various targets in and around the Cleveland metropolitan
area, with the Route 82 Brecksville-Northfield High Level Bridge
being selected as the target. The bridge crosses over Cuyahoga
Valley National Park from Brecksville to Sagamore Hills.
The defendants then conspired to obtain C-4 explosives,
contained in two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), to be
remotely detonated, the FBI said.
"The individuals charged in this plot were intent on using
violence to express their ideological views," said FBI Special
Agent Stephen D. Anthony.
The five defendants are expected to appear today before a
federal magistrate in U.S. District Court in Cleveland