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U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation T ERRORISM 1997 United States in the COUNTERTERRORISM THREAT ASSESSMENT and WARNING UNIT NATIONAL SECURITY DIVISION INSIDE WMD HOAXES pg. 18 o TERR RISM in the United States 1997 Counterterrorism Threat Assessment and Warning Unit National Security Division I n accordance with U.S. counterterrorism policy, the FBI considers terrorists to be criminals. The FBI investigates terrorists in the United States under the following guidelines: l Domestic terrorism investigations are conducted in accordance with the Attorney General Guidelines for General Crimes, Racketeering Enterprises, and Domestic Security/Terrorism Investigation. s These Guidelines set forth the predication thresh- old and limits for investigations of U.S. persons who reside in the United States, who are not acting on behalf of a foreign power, and who may be conducting criminal activities in support of terrorist objectives. l International terrorism investigations are conducted in accordance with the Attorney General Guidelines FBI POLICY for FBI Foreign Intelligence Collection and Foreign Counterintelligence InvestigationTs.h ese Guidelines AND set forth the predication level and limits for investi- GUIDELINES gating U.S. persons or foreign nationals in the United States who are targeting national security interests on behalf of a foreign power. Although various Executive Orders, Presidential Decision Directives, and congressional statutes address the issue of terrorism, there is no single federal law specifically making terrorism a crime. Terrorists are arrested and convicted under existing criminal statutes. All suspected terrorists placed under arrest are provided access to legal counsel and normal judicial procedure, including Fifth Amendment guarantees. DEFINITIONS There is no single, universally accepted, definition of terrorism. The U.S. Code and the FBI define terrorism as “...the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.” i The FBI further describes terrorism as either domestic or international, depending on the origin, base, and objectives of the terrorist organization. For the purpose of this report, the FBI will use the following definitions: l Domestic terrorism is the unlawful use, or threatened use, of force or violence by a group or individual based and operating entirely within the United States or Puerto Rico without foreign direction and whose acts are directed at elements of the U.S. Government or its population, in the furtherance of political or social goals. l International terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence committed by a group or individual, who has some connection to a foreign power or whose activities transcend national boundaries, against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. THE FBI DIVIDES TERRORIST-RELATED ACTIVITY INTO THREE CATEGORIES: l A terrorist incident is a violent act or an act dangerous to human life in viola- tion of the criminal laws of the United States, or of any state, to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof. l A suspected terrorist incident is a potential act of terrorism to which responsibili- ty cannot be attributed at the time to a known or suspected terrorist group or individual. l A terrorism prevention is a documented instance in which a violent act by a known or suspected terrorist group or individual with the means and a proven propensity for violence is successfully interdicted through investigative activity. NOTE The FBI investigates terrorism-related matters with - out regard to race, religion, national origin, or gen - der. Reference to individual members of any politi - cal, ethnic, or religious group in this report is not meant to imply that all members of that group are terrorists. Terrorists represent a small criminal minority in any larger social context. Cover: Emergency response to WMD hoax at B’nai B’rith office in Washington, D.C., April 24, 1997. (Roger Richards/The Washington Tim)es ii TABLE of CONTENTS 1997 1 INTRODUCTION: TERRORISM IN THE UNITED STATES: 2 1997 IN REVIEW 2 TERRORIST INCIDENTS 3 SUSPECTED TERRORIST INCIDENTS 3 PREVENTIONS 6 SIGNIFICANT EVENTS 11 IN-FOCUS 11 COMMON LAW COURTS 13 DESIGNATION OF 30 FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANZATIONS 14 THE LONG ARM OF THE LAW 16 SECONDARY EXPLOSIONS 18 THE IMPACT OF HOAXES 20 CONCLUSION 22 APPENDIX: CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY OF INCIDENTS IN THE 1990-1997 UNITED STATES iii S tark images often link time and place as they fix acts of terror within the minds of those who witness them. The image of a masked gunman pacing the balcony of an athletes’ dormitory will forever haunt the memory of the 1972 Munich Summer Olympic Games; a light snowfall mingling with heavy black smoke streaming from the windows of New York’s World Trade Center mark the February 26, 1993, bomb attack that brought international terrorism to U.S. soil; the collapsed floors of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City persist in the nation’s collective consciousness long after the site itself was cleared. That no such images of terrorism on U.S. soil characterized 1997 is largely attribut- able to the enhanced counterterrorism capabilities of the U.S. intelligence and law enforcement communities. During calendar year 1997, the FBI recorded two terrorist incidents (neither of which resulted in injuries) and two suspected acts of terrorism on U.S. soil (both of which resulted in injuries). Within the same year, 21 potential acts of terrorism were prevented in the United States—the highest number of preventions recorded since 1985, when 23 planned acts of terrorism were prevented. Meanwhile, the U.S. Government brought several high-profile terrorists to justice in 1997. On June 2, 1997, Timothy McVeigh was convicted of the April 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. On August 14, McVeigh was sentenced to death for carrying out the most deadly act of terrorism in U.S. history. McVeigh’s accomplice in the attack, Terry Lynn Nichols, was convicted of conspiracy and involuntary manslaughter on December 23, 1997, and as of the end of the year was awaiting sentencing. On November 12, 1997, international terrorists Ramzi TERRORISM Ahmed Yousef and Eyad Mahmoud Ismail Najim were found guilty of conspiracy for their roles in the 1993 IN THE bombing of the World Trade Center. Both suspects UNITED STATES had fled the United States shortly after the bombing, 1997 but were apprehended and returned to stand trial in the Southern District of New York. This edition of Terrorism in the United Statecshronicles significant terrorism-related events occurring within the United States during 1997. It also includes articles that span the broad range of issues related to the terrorist threat facing the United States. These articles focus on the growth of so-called Common Law Courts, the designation of 30 foreign terrorist organizations pursuant to provisions of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, and the technique of rendering terrorists from abroad. Focus articles also discuss the dangers posed by secondary explosive devices targeting first responders and the impact of hoaxes involving weapons of mass destruction. In addition, this report provides statistical data relating to terrorism within the United States. This material has been drawn from FBI records to provide a histori- cal framework for the discussion of terrorism presented in this report. TERRORISM IN THE UNITED STATES 1997 1 The FBI recorded 2 terrorist incidents, 2 suspected terrorist incidents, and 21 terrorist preventions in the United States during 1997. In addition, the United States apprehended and prosecuted a number of terrorists. This section of Terrorism in the United Statesusmmarizes each of these terrorism- related events. FBI designation of each case as being either domestic or international is noted in parentheses. (Please see classification definitions for domestic and international terrorism on page i.) TERRORIST INCIDENTS 1997 JANUARY 2, 1997 Letterbombings: Washington, DC Leavenworth, Kansas IN (Two acts of International Treorrism) REVIEW In late December 1996, a total of 12 letterbombs were mailed to the United States in holiday greeting cards bearing Alexandria, Egypt, postmarks. On January 2, 1997, several of these letterbombs were discovered in the mailrooms of the federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, and the Washington, D.C., offices of the Saudi Arabian newspaper Al-Hayat. One of three greeting cards received at Leavenworth Federal Prison was opened but did not explode. A short time later on the same date in the Washington, D.C., Al-Hayatoffice, another of the letterbombs was opened but failed to explode. Several letterbombs mailed to the New York City offices of Al-Hayat, as well as additional letterbombs mailed to Leavenworth prison and the Washington, D.C., offices of Al-Hayat, were discovered after law enforcement was able to disseminate warnings concerning the first two incidents. The remaining 10 letterbombs were rendered safe by law enforcement. The FBI immediately launched an investigation to identify the perpetrators of this act. The investigation was ongoing by the end of 1997. At the time of the attempted bombings, Leavenworth prison housed several international radical extremists convicted of terrorism-related crimes. TERRORISM IN THE UNITED STATES 1997 2 SUSPECTED TERRORIST PREVENTIONS INCIDENTS JANUARY 1997 Attempted Letterbombings: JANUARY 16, 1997 Leavenworth, Kansas Bombing: Washington, DC Atlanta, Georgia New York, New York (Suspected incident of Domestic Troerrism) (Prevention of 10 incidents of International rToerirsm) On January 16, 1997, a bomb exploded at a As discussed in the “Terrorist Incidents” sec- women’s health facility in Atlanta, Georgia, causing tion, on January 2, 1997, two letterbombs bearing significant damage to the clinic. Within an hour, a Alexandria, Egypt, postmarks were opened by second time bomb exploded, wounding several law employees at Leavenworth Federal Prison (Kansas) enforcement and emergency first responders. At and the Washington, D.C. offices of the Al-Hayat year’s end, an FBI investigation was ongoing. newspaper. Both letterbombs failed to explode. Law enforcement officials were quickly notified and dis- FEBRUARY 21, 1997 seminated warnings to the public. Within days, a total of 10 additional letterbombs were found at Bombing: Leavenworth prison and the Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, Georgia New York City offices of Al-Hayat. Law enforcement (Suspected incident of Domestic Troerrism) subsequently rendered all of these bombs safe. On February 21, 1997, a bomb exploded at the Otherside Lounge, an Atlanta (Georgia) alterna- tive lifestyle nightclub. The blast injured five people, one seriously. The explosion also badly damaged an exterior deck and bar area. A second explosive device was located by law enforcement and disarmed. Investigation revealed that the second device likely targeted law enforcement and emergency first responders. An FBI investigation was launched immediately, and as of the end of 1997, was ongoing. TERRORISM IN THE UNITED STATES 1997 3 FEBRUARY 21, 1997 armored car and the murder of its guards. His plan Disarming of Secondary Explosive Device: involved robbing $20 million from a Jacksonville- based armored car company, dismembering three Atlanta, Georgia guards during the commission of the robbery, and (Prevention of one incident of Domestic rToerirsm) killing any law enforcement officers who might impede his escape. Orns was arrested during the final As discussed in the “Suspected Terrorist planning stages of the robbery and was charged with Incidents” section, a bomb exploded at an Atlanta violating the Hobbs Act. Investigation determined (Georgia) nightclub on the evening of February 21, that Orns planned to use the proceeds from the rob- 1997. A secondary explosive device was located, dis- bery to finance militia groups and to aid them in armed, and safely removed by law enforcement per- staging violent confrontations with the U.S. sonnel. Subsequent investigation revealed that law Government. enforcement and emergency first responders were the likely intended targets of the second bomb. JULY 4-11, 1997 Planned Attack on Military Base: APRIL 22, 1997 Fort Hood, Texas Planned Armored Car Robbery and Bombings: (Prevention of four incidents of Domestic Troerrism) Wise County, Texas (Prevention of four incidents of Domestic Troerrism) Between July 4 and July 11, 1997, the FBI, in conjunction with state and local law enforcement On April 22, 1997, the North Texas Joint agencies in Texas, Colorado, and Kansas, executed Terrorism Task Force (NT JTTF), in conjunction multiple arrest and search warrants for a group of with the Wise County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office, exe- individuals planning an engagement with “foreign cuted multiple arrest and search warrants for four troops” stationed at the U.S. Army base at Fort members of the True Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Hood, Texas. The group had planned an elaborate scheme to rob In June 1997, the FBI was advised by under- two drug dealers of weapons and cash in order to out- cover law enforcement officers that Bradley Glover, a fit themselves for an armored car robbery. The self-proclaimed militia Brigadier General with a his- armored car heist was to be preceded by the detona- tory of advocating the arrest of local law enforcement tion of multiple diversionary bombs at a natural gas officers and members of the judiciary in Kansas, and processing and storage facility, which could have an accomplice, Michael Dorsett, anticipated an caused the release of hydrogen sulfide into the air. “engagement” with United Nations troops who they The investigation also revealed that members of this believed were stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. On July group had detonated at least two “practice” explosive 4, 1997, after tracking the illicit activities of the two devices in preparation for the planned attack on the men, FBI Special Agents and officers from the Texas natural gas facility. Department of Public Safety arrested Glover and Dorsett at Colorado Bend State Park, approximately JUNE 12, 1997 40 miles southwest of Fort Hood. Glover was Planned Armored Car Robbery: charged with various weapons violations; Dorsett with fleeing a felony warrant and a passport viola- Jacksonville, Florida tion. (Prevention of one incident of Domestic rToerirsm) Warranted searches of Glover’s truck and Dorsett’s home revealed explosive devices and com- On June 12, 1997, the Jacksonville (Florida) ponents, assault rifles, body armor, camouflage cloth- Office of the FBI, in conjunction with the Miami ing, and militia-oriented literature. On July 5 a bail Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and bondsman posted Glover’s bail on the state charges. Firearms (BATF), arrested Bradley James Orns (also The bondsman then drove Glover to his residence in known as Brad Ollis) for his planned robbery of an Arlington, Texas, and then on to Denver, Colorado. TERRORISM IN THE UNITED STATES 1997 4 Investigation revealed that Kevin and Terry JULY 31, 1997 Hobeck had established a safe house for Glover and Attack on New York Subway System Thwarted Dorsett at a campground near Creede, Colorado. (Prevention of one incident of International rToreirsm) Two other individuals with militia ties, Thomas and Kimberly Newman, arrived from Kansas and unwit- On July 31, 1997, a cooperating witness tingly supplied undercover law enforcement officers informed the New York City Police Department posing as militia associates with clothing, backpacks, (NYPD) that a recent Palestinian immigrant to the automatic assault rifles, and 10 homemade pipe United States was planning to rig a bomb to a trip bombs packed with nails to be used against law wire on the “B-line” of the subway. The NYPD con- enforcement officers. ducted a raid on an apartment in Brooklyn, New Days later, when Glover contacted the York. Two improvised explosive devices consisting of undercover officers in Colorado, they determined five pipe bombs were recovered by the NYPD bomb that he was at the residence of Merlon “Butch” squad. Lingenfelter, in Mondovi, Wisconsin. Explaining Upon entering the apartment, NYPD officers that the Colorado safe house had been compromised, confronted two subjects: Gazi Ibrahim Abu Mezer Glover and Lingenfelter stated that they would and Lafi Khalil. Both men were shot by the officers as “hunker down” at Lingenfelter’s residence with the they tried to reach switches on the pipe bombs; they support of the Michigan Militia. Instead, Glover were subsequently taken to an area hospital. and Lingenfelter were arrested on July 10, the Abu Mezer and Khalil were indicted on Hobecks and the Newmans on July 11. August 28, 1997, by a federal grand jury in the Bradley Glover was indicted for Possession of Eastern District of New York and charged with violat- an Illegal Firearm/Silencer and for converting two ing 18 U.S.C. § 2332A(A) (2) (conspiracy to use a rifles into fully automatic mode. Trials were sched- weapon of mass destruction against persons in the uled for spring 1998. Michael Dorsett, indicted for United States) and §§ 924(O) and 3551 (conspiracy Possession of an Illegal Firearm/Silencer, indicated to use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a that he would enter a guilty plea. crime of violence). Merlon Lingenfelter was indicted in In addition, Abu Mezer was charged with vio- Wisconsin on July 16 for Possession of Illegal lation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 924 and 3553 (knowing and Firearms. Kevin and Terry Hobeck were indicted on intentional use and carrying of a firearm during and in August 6 in Colorado for two counts of Possession of relation to a crime of violence), and Khalil with vio- Illegal Firearms. In December 1997, Kevin Hobeck lating 18 U.S.C. §§ 1546 (A) and 3551 (knowing and received a sentence of 21 months incarceration, with intentionally possessing, obtaining, accepting and 3 years of supervised probation. receiving a counterfeit alien registration card). Thomas and Kimberly Newman were indict- Both Abu Mezer and Khalil pled not guilty; ed on August 20, also in Colorado, for firearms vio- their trial was scheduled to begin in summer 1998. lations. Thomas Newman was sentenced to 36 The arrests of Abu Mezer and Khalil came months incarceration and 3 years of supervised pro- one day after suicide bombers in Jerusalem set off bation; Kimberly Newman received a sentence of 10 bombs in a marketplace, killing 15 people and wound- months incarceration (including 5 months of elec- ing 150. Initially, it was thought that the incidents tronic home detention) and 3 years of supervised may have been linked, but the motives of the New probation. York subjects remain unclear. Several days prior to Although small-scale attacks on U.S. their arrest, the subjects sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) facilities had been Department of State warning that they would build perpetrated by left-wing and special interest groups more bombs and strike at Jewish institutions in the during the 1970s and 1980s, this incident marked United States if six Arabs being held in U.S. and the first planned attack against a DoD facility by a Israeli prisons were not released. By year’s end, the right-wing militia cell. FBI was unable to establish a direct nexus between the subjects and any terrorist organizations, including radical extremist groups. TERRORISM IN THE UNITED STATES 1997 5