January 20, 2006
The long awaited moment has arrived that I can reveal some of the details of The Jawa Report's involvement in the capture of a would-be terrorist. Some of you already know some of the details as I have talked about them from time to time in a cryptic manner. I don't want to overemphasize our role in the wannabe terrorists capture, nor do I wish to claim that the man now in custody would have been able to accomplish his stated goal of building and detonating a nuclear bomb in the United States--clearly he did not have that capacity--but this website did play a role in his capture.
It is not the first time we have done some damage to a terror supporter. Longtime Jawa reader Filthy Allah helped get a terror supporter fired from an immigration law firm in Great Britain because of one of our posts. That ought to make the people of the U.K. feel slightly safer knowing that at least one less jihad supporter is in a position to help facilitate the immigration of terrorists to their country.
As satisfying as it is to help a terror supporter file for unemployment, it pales in contrast to the feeling of elation that I have knowing that I helped put a would be terrorist in jail. Even if my role was tiny, it is far more than I ever hoped for when I started this website. I simply wanted to make terrorists and their supporters mad, not help put them in jail.
This is what happened.
On March 12th of 2005 (later updated on March 14th) I wrote a post about a series of messages on the jihadi forum alm2sda.net about how to make various weapons of mass destruction, such as chemical weapons, by a poster calling himself ahmed_assalafil. I had first heard about Ahmed's messages from a website that I frequent which monitors jihad forums, Internet Haganah. Included in Ahmed's messages was the claim that the poster had information on how to make a nuclear bomb, along with some rudimentary (and erroneous) instructions on Hydrogen bomb construction. He was seeking help translating the allegedly secret materials into Arabic.
He asked fellow forum members who were part of the mujahidin to contact him so that he could help them carry out attacks with his special skills and because he was living in the U.S. Ahmed claimed to be a Palestinian living in the U.S. who was using a computer from a public library. As I noted at the time:
What is even more alarming is that the person posting the H-bomb plans is an American of Palestinian descent and posts the plans from a public library in the U.S. I suppose that the ACLU will cry bloody-murder should the FBI check the activity logs of whichever library this turns out to have come from.I would emphasize that the provision of the Patriot Act which allows Federal law-enforcement agents to look at public library records is under attack from the Democratic party. This provision is at the heart of the present stalling over Section 215 by Democrats in the Senate who wish to take away this vital tool in the fight on terror.
After reading Aaron's post over at Internet Haganah and learning that the Arab News picked up on the story, I decided to have a little fun with Ahmed. I noticed that Ahmed had left his e-mail address at the jihadi forum so that terrorists could contact him and he could join their ranks.
Not wanting to disappoint Ahmed, I dutifully reposted his e-mail address. From time to time we like to have a little fun with jihadis. We post the e-mail addresses of those running terrorist websites or those who leave pro-terror messages at them. Posting Ahmed's address was meant to be a childish prank. Nothing more. After all, what could be more fun than signing a terrorist up for a gay singles website?
That was really the extent of our involvement. We found his e-mail address, posted it, and encouraged readers to e-mail him.
After Michelle Malkin gave in to my pleas for a link, the story received a lot of attention. Most of it was debunking Ahmed's claim that he had secret H-bomb plans. What was overlooked by the debunking was that Ahmed also was talking about building other, less complicated, weapons of mass destruction. However, he certainly was no nuclear expert.
Even so, I still found it troubling that this man was in the United States and that he was trying to make contact with terrorists so he could join them.
So did one of my readers. He took my advice and e-mailed him. Instead of calling him a filthy S.O.B., though, he started up a friendly conversation with him. "Ahmed" responded. Eventually this conversation would help put him in jail.
I do not have all of the information about the story, but I do know this much from various news accounts and from other sources.
[Image grab of WAVY video courtesy of Opinion Bug ]
It turns out that "Ahmed" was really Jordanian born Mohammed Radwan Obeid. Obeid had fraudulently immigrated to the United States by marrying an American woman, and then having the marriage annuled. Obeid was working as a cashier in Dayton, Ohio last year and living with his girlfriend in a nearby town. It was from the Troy branch of the Miami (Ohio) County public library that he began to seek out fellow jihadis.
Obeid's posts at jihadi forums was noticed by more than those anti-terrorist crusaders who monitor them. Obeid's posts about nuclear weapons and gun silencers was somehow noticed by reference librarian Laura Girolamo. Ms. Girolamo contacted the FBI who, using their newly found powers under the Patriot Act, were able to confirm the librarians suspicions.
At about the same time, a Jawa Report reader from Virginia, David Vazquez, began e-mailing Obeid. Obeid was under the false impression that Vazquez was a fellow jihad supporter. Obeid, he says, was now trying to recruit him for a terrorist cause.
Obeid told David Vazquez in e-mails that "we are starting a big operation that will make 9/11 nothing but a little bit of headache."
According to Vazquez, "I was very alarmed at the words (Obeid) was saying." He contacted the FBI.
Armed with the knowlege provided them by their ability under the Patriot Act to monitor public library computers, and by David Vazquez's saved e-mail conversations, the FBI picked up Obeid on March 28th for 'immigration violations'.
When asked about whether or not the e-mails were his, Obeid denied that they were. Since he was asked under oath, Obeid's denials amounted to knowingly and willfully making a false material representation.
A Federal immigration judge ordered Obeid's deportation in September. Obeid was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury in October. He pleaded guilty to the felony charge of lying to Federal investigators.
His trial is now in the sentencing phase where Federal prosecutors are using the testimony of David Vazquez, who is now a police officer in Norfolk, Virginia, to insure that Mohammad Radwan Obeid receives the maximum penalty of five years.
Like many other terror related cases prosecuted after 9/11, Obeid was charged first with immigration violations and then with lying to investigators. However, the content of those seemingly minor violations should not be overlooked. What was it that Obeid had lied about? About the fact that he was attempting to form a terror cell within the United States.
Perhaps Obeid would never have succeeded, but that misses the point. A Jordanian immigrant was hoping to start or join a terror cell in the U.S. He hoped to carry out terror attacks here on our soil. He dreamt that his act of terrorism would make the 9/11 attacks seem mild. Seems like kind of a big deal to me.
The Jawa Report played a small part in his arrest. For that, I am extremely proud. It's a kind of good that I never expected to play a role in. Thank you David Vazquez for helping nab this enemy of the United States and for allowing me a minor role.
Resources on the Mohammad Radwan Obeid case:
The Jawa Report: Nuke Bomb Plans Posted by American at Terrorist Website
Patriot Act's Controversial Library Provision Puts Ohio Terror Suspect Away (Blogs help too)
Jawa Report To Terrorist Supporters: "You're Fired!"
E-mail an al Qaeda Fan! (Updated with more e-mails)
Internet Haganah: How to build your own H-Bomb at home
Michelle Malkin: [JOKE] H-BOMB PLANS POSTED ON WEB SITE
Arab News: Terrorist Website Drops Dirty Bomb
Jihad Watch: Norfolk Officer Says Man Tried to Recruit Him for Terrorist Cause The following is a comment left at the above post from Robert Spencer's Jihad Watch:
Greetings,I am the police officer referred to in this particular story.
I did NOT testify, nor have I stated, that I met any terrorist on this website. Also, the press got it wrong, stating that I "initiated contact with him through" these websites, making it sound as if I "met" Mr Obeid on jihadwatch.
What happened is that I learned of and about this individual by way of Jihadwatch and other websites. This indivual was written about on several websites and even in some of the MSM prior to my contacting him. He had already been in a lot of hot water for doing such things as (allegedly) attempting to publish information about making "nuclear" or dirty bombs on jihadist websites etc. Specifically, i read about this person in the March, 2005 Jihadwatch article "Dirty bomb instructions published on jihadist website". At roughly the same time, the website Jawa Report picked up the same story and actually somehow acquired the email address of this terrorist. This is how I contacted the individual, and this is what I testified to in court. It is lamentable that the press did not report this. It may have something to do with the fact that the word "jihadwatch" is much sexier than "Jawa Report". Sorry, Dr Shackleford.
Again, I did not, and have never stated that, I met any terrorists "on" this website.
I am an avid reader of Jihadwatch, obviously, and have a great deal of respect for Robert Spencer. I have read 2 of his books and found them fascinating, informative and well-written.
It is partly thanks to him and to Dr Shackleford of Jawa Report that this dangerous person is now in custody. So you see, Mr. Spencer, you *did* have something to do with it.
Posted by: Rusty at
05:16 PM
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Post contains 1787 words, total size 12 kb.
Posted by: John of Argghhh! at January 20, 2006 04:42 PM (9FPYz)
Posted by: caltechgirl at January 20, 2006 04:47 PM (uI/79)
Posted by: See-Dubya at January 20, 2006 04:52 PM (qO0gB)
Jawa 2 NYT 0
I think you need some kind of a graphic you can put up here like they used to put little swastikas on US fighters to commemorate how many German aircraft they'd shot down.
Posted by: See-Dubya at January 20, 2006 04:57 PM (qO0gB)
Posted by: AFSister at January 20, 2006 04:59 PM (59pKk)
Isn't hte provision for warrantless requests of records? haven't you described a situation of probable cause, ie, where a warrant could be gotten?
Posted by: actus at January 20, 2006 04:59 PM (TEHSD)
Posted by: Son Of The Godfather at January 20, 2006 05:03 PM (5BuXD)
Posted by: George Ramos at January 20, 2006 05:05 PM (5E0ex)
Posted by: Sgt Lori at January 20, 2006 05:16 PM (DmF+F)
Posted by: ic at January 20, 2006 05:23 PM (1I88p)
Posted by: jesusland joe at January 20, 2006 05:27 PM (rUyw4)
Posted by: reliapundit at January 20, 2006 05:29 PM (SNbf1)
Posted by: Howie at January 20, 2006 05:38 PM (D3+20)
Posted by: Vinnie at January 20, 2006 05:40 PM (Kr6/f)
Posted by: Insomniac at January 20, 2006 06:02 PM (wZLWV)
Posted by: Dick at January 20, 2006 06:06 PM (XlQVK)
Posted by: Ariya at January 20, 2006 06:13 PM (uxW3N)
Posted by: Janette at January 20, 2006 06:37 PM (OcgcA)
Posted by: Rich at January 20, 2006 07:01 PM (/0lMP)
Posted by: mike at January 20, 2006 07:13 PM (EZaoo)
Posted by: Jane at January 20, 2006 07:29 PM (wZLWV)
Ariya, several newspapers and TV stations have all mentioned David's name. This is where most of the information came from.
Posted by: Rusty at January 20, 2006 07:43 PM (JQjhA)
Posted by: jesusland joe at January 20, 2006 08:16 PM (rUyw4)
Man you've come along way.
Congrats!
Posted by: Gordon at January 20, 2006 08:47 PM (i0N3d)
You misunderestimated the score. Due to the terrorist-enabling NY Slimes "tantamount to treason" type reporting, the score now stands at:
Jawa: 2 NY Times: -236
Happy Blog-Day Rusty!!
Posted by: py at January 20, 2006 09:01 PM (DvgGy)
Posted by: Ed Poinsett at January 20, 2006 09:13 PM (Ffvoi)
Posted by: The Atom Bomb of Loving Kindness at January 20, 2006 10:13 PM (n/jgN)
What are the odds he thinks the war on terrorism is grossly overstated, and it really is nothing more than a law enforcement problem...?
Posted by: Tim at January 20, 2006 10:16 PM (VrD3d)
Posted by: Michael Hampton at January 20, 2006 10:17 PM (FVbj6)
Posted by: thirdee at January 20, 2006 10:20 PM (3CqwE)
Posted by: Jibtrim at January 20, 2006 11:00 PM (QyF6W)
Posted by: RepJ at January 20, 2006 11:04 PM (kEpN/)
Posted by: Jake at January 20, 2006 11:29 PM (dBhN5)
Actually, just those that we don't have probable cause on.
Posted by: actus at January 20, 2006 11:29 PM (TEHSD)
You have achieved a wonderful thing for all people. I have no smart-arse comment, no poignancy, just that. You've achieved something very special.
Posted by: licence at January 20, 2006 11:33 PM (maYWf)
Excellent idea!!!!
AHEM!!!
I hereby present LC and IB Rusty with...
The Splodeydope!
Posted by: L.C.Mamapajamas at January 20, 2006 11:57 PM (4g2mE)
Good job on the retro-detective work.
Posted by: David at January 21, 2006 12:43 AM (BhVb3)
Posted by: JB at January 21, 2006 01:18 AM (0TAo/)
Why didn't Clinton arrest Osama?
Why isn't Bush arresting the guy who runs Iran? Why aren't the police impounding his nuclear weapons factories?
Why don't we just declare those factories full of drugs and send the BATF and DEA after them?
Posted by: M. Simon at January 21, 2006 01:59 AM (PbmyO)
Posted by: fubaglady at January 21, 2006 04:08 AM (BJYNn)
Posted by: Rosemary at January 21, 2006 04:09 AM (zo1cS)
Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at January 21, 2006 07:33 AM (0yYS2)
what a fantastic way to celebrate your blogoversary.
Bloody well done!
Deepdiver
Posted by: Deepdiver at January 21, 2006 08:51 AM (1Qh4h)
In response to an earlier question: NY Times reporter Judith Miller actually allerted some terr suspects that they being were investigated by the FBI. Read all about it!
Posted by: Peter at January 21, 2006 09:11 AM (QvrVT)
No no. I'm happy we caught this guy. We can't have people going around lying to federal agents.
Posted by: actus at January 21, 2006 09:21 AM (TEHSD)
Posted by: Jay at January 21, 2006 10:02 AM (4YGmN)
Posted by: Jeremy at January 21, 2006 10:11 AM (1RFYu)
Posted by: Cardinals Nation at January 21, 2006 10:13 AM (BKjx0)
Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at January 21, 2006 10:29 AM (0yYS2)
Posted by: MEC2 at January 21, 2006 10:34 AM (XrHD0)
Posted by: Jay at January 21, 2006 10:51 AM (znZNb)
Posted by: jonathanriley at January 21, 2006 11:17 AM (/bh4x)
Posted by: mark at January 21, 2006 11:58 AM (s1XiY)
Posted by: Lloyd at January 21, 2006 11:58 AM (FCOo+)
And the reason you exist too!
Posted by: actus at January 21, 2006 12:32 PM (GkLkk)
I would have gotten you a pop gun or some darts; bagging a terrorist is definitely out of my price range. But at least I know how to get one now...
Posted by: tee bee at January 21, 2006 01:52 PM (q1JHF)
Another typically nonsensical retort from Cractus.
Why don't you tell him "his father is a hampster" and "his mother smells of elderberries" while you're at it....
*guffaw*
Posted by: Elephant Man at January 21, 2006 01:59 PM (gECpl)
Posted by: Rodney A Stanton at January 21, 2006 02:54 PM (xcy9v)
Posted by: Bujutsu Blogger at January 21, 2006 03:22 PM (Emitz)
Posted by: Jake at January 20, 2006 11:29 PM
"So actus is concerned about rights for terrorists."
Actually, just those that we don't have probable cause on.
OK... so while Amad al Jihadi is in the country, as long as the law enforcement people don't know what he's up to, he should be perfectly safe from eavesdroppers?
Nice logic there.
You've just proven that you ARE on the side of the terrorists.
Sorry, I am of the opinion that just being on the speed dial of an Al Qaeda operative is "probable cause".
Posted by: LCMamapajamas at January 21, 2006 03:27 PM (hdvVy)
Posted by: Rusty at January 21, 2006 03:48 PM (JQjhA)
Posted by: tallglassofmilk at January 21, 2006 03:48 PM (Bfaw6)
Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at January 21, 2006 07:13 PM (0yYS2)
- Michele
Posted by: letters from nyc at January 21, 2006 07:56 PM (8vxbn)
Nice logic there"
Well the logic is that when we suspect people we investigate them.
Posted by: actus at January 21, 2006 08:20 PM (GkLkk)
Posted by: jesusland joe at January 21, 2006 09:46 PM (rUyw4)
@Posted by: actus
Well the logic is that when we suspect people we investigate them.
Uh... yeah. That's why the NSA is investigating people who are on jihadis' speed dials. That's a bit uh... suspicious. I know this is a bit difficult to figure out, but if a jihadi places a call to someone in, say, Chicago... I want the NSA to know about it. I don't care what the topic of the conversation is, myself.
Funny thing here is that you are giving incoming calls from jihadis the benefit of the doubt, and putting the NSA under automatic suspicion.
Why is that? Which side of this war are you on, anyway?
Posted by: L.C.Mamapajamas at January 21, 2006 10:33 PM (ogcJA)
Posted by: Ogre at January 21, 2006 11:51 PM (+Gl1m)
Good work and congrats all around.
Posted by: StinKerr at January 22, 2006 12:28 AM (FsO9n)
Secondly, good job on your part in the nabbing of this creep.
And lastly, being true to the American tradition of asking the popular question, "what have you done lately?":
Get back to work and catch another one, there's more where that came from.
Posted by: LASunsett at January 22, 2006 05:30 AM (1gQz+)
Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at January 22, 2006 10:32 AM (0yYS2)
The Constitution does not protect the rights of Aliens except for the due process and equal protection clauses of the Constitution. That is left up to the federal, state, and local governments. That why it states "insure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity". The Fourth Amendment does apply to the library which is owned by the local government and the citizens therein and they can choose to relinquish those rights willingly. The Ninth Amendment can be used to negate the Forth if the threat to security is greater than or equal to the threat to property and their are sensible reasons a warrant cannot be obtained the normal way. I still prefer that a separate entity such as the judicial branch keeps some type of oversight on the executive branch as the later has been known to gather information for blackmailing purposes.
I am more concerned with the domestic terrorist who aid and abet those who deliberately and arbitrarily kill whom are still in their mothers' wombs. This is because they have a higher body count and so have done more damage to America. Why else do we have an aging America that places strain on the Social security and Medicare systems because the younger generation sufficiently lower in numbers to be unable to fund them.
Posted by: kerwin at January 22, 2006 11:37 AM (/IFjO)
Welcome to the subject of probable cause!
"He should be hunted down and dealt with."
The sooner the better!
Posted by: actus at January 22, 2006 11:58 AM (GkLkk)
That's a long list of congrats RUSTY! I want to get mine in there too! SO, here it goes!
CONGRADULATIONS!! Here's a Jaigerbomb shot! CHEERS to everyone and Hope we are all doing are part to clean up this world! If I find a something suspicious, I will post it here. Then we all can gang up on 'em. !!!
the TACO BANDIT
Posted by: Taco Bandit at January 22, 2006 03:28 PM (MOKXn)
Excuse me? You're saying this as if it were a new idea, when the fact is that the NSA has had probable cause all along.
Posted by: L.C.Mamapajamas at January 22, 2006 10:39 PM (BgWYW)
Posted by: wordsmith at January 23, 2006 12:56 AM (nrGCx)
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