According to authorities, a man from Massachusetts was planning to blow up the Pentagon and the U.S. Capitol with a drone-like flying explosive device. Rezwan Ferdaus, a 26-year-old U.S. citizen was arrested this morning in an undercover sting by federal agents.
The Washington Post reports that Ferdaus planned to buy grenades, six machine guns and 24 pounds of C-4 explosive from undercover agents who were posing as Al Qaeda members. The undercover agents made the delivery this morning and arrested Ferdaus shortly after.
Prosecutes said:
“Although Ferdaus was presented with multiple opportunities to back out of his plan, including being told that his attack would likely kill women and children …. Ferdaus never wavered in his desire to carry out the attacks.”
Ferdaus said that he was planning to strike a psychological blow to “the enemies of Allah” by hitting the Pentagon, “the head and heart of the snake.”
The FBI said that the public was never in danger and that they stopped the sting as soon as they had enough information to charge Ferdaus.
Ferdaus, who is a graduate of Northeastern University, was scheduled to appear in federal court this afternoon.
US Attorney Carmen Ortiz said:
“The conduct alleged today shows that Mr. Ferdaus had long planned to commit violent acts against our country. Thanks to the diligence of the FBI and our many other law enforcement partners, that plan was thwarted.”
Ortiz went on to clarify the fact that neither Ferdaus’ religion or ethnicity played a part in his arrest. Ortiz said:
“I want the public to understand that Mr. Ferdaus’ conduct, as alleged in the complaint, is not reflective of a particular culture, community or religion. In addition to protecting our citizens from the threats and violence alleged today, we also have an obligation to protect members of every community, race, and religion against violence and other unlawful conduct.”
Boston reports that the FBI has been tracking Ferdaus since January.
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