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But thanks to the work of able investigators and our strong partnerships among
state, local, and federal law enforcement, we are here to announce the indictment of
four men in an alleged conspiracy to commit terrorist acts in the Los Angeles area.
Had these four defendants succeeded in their alleged plots, their attacks would have
taken an untold number of Americans.
The conspiracy, alleged in the indictment returned by a Santa Ana, California grand
jury, extends from the cells of a state prison in Northern California to the
communities of Southern California.
Three U.S. citizens and one legal permanent U.S. resident originally from Pakistan
are charged with seditious conspiracy. Their alleged objective was to attack U.S.
military facilities, an Israeli consulate building, and several Jewish synagogues in
the Los Angeles area.
The indictment also charges that the defendants were planning to finance their
conspiracy using the proceeds from a violent crime spree.
Kevin James;
Levar Washington;
Gregory Patterson; and
Hammad Samana conspired to commit terrorist acts in the United States.
The indictment specifically alleges that Kevin James, an inmate in California State
Prison-Sacramento, recruited fellow prison inmates to join JIS, a radical Islamic
organization.
Kevin James allegedly preached that it was a duty of JIS members to kill
“infidels”—perceived enemies of Islam. James’ definition of the enemies of Islam
included U.S. government personnel, supporters of Israel, and Jewish Americans.
To achieve his extremist goals, James allegedly sought to establish “cells” of JIS
members outside of prison to carry out the violent attacks.
According to the indictment, defendant Levar Washington was recruited into JIS
while in prison. Kevin James then directed Washington to recruit five people after
his release from prison in December 2004 and train them for covert operations.
James further ordered Washington to acquire firearms with silencers and to contact
explosives experts so they could make or learn to make bombs that could be
activated from a distance.
Specifically, the indictment charges that beginning May 30, 2005, the defendants—
armed with shotguns—did rob or attempted to rob gas stations 11 separate times in
cities and towns across Southern California.
They also engaged in firearms and physical training, in preparation for their terrorist
attacks.
If convicted of all charges, each of the defendants faces life in prison. Each of these
defendants, however, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
I want to commend the men and women of law enforcement. Thanks to the
communication and coordination of law enforcement at every level, we were able to
connect the dots and make these arrests before any American lives were lost.
I’d like to thank the FBI and the state and local law enforcement members of the
Long Beach Joint Terrorism Task Force for their efforts in this investigation.
As our men and women in uniform fight beyond our shores to protect America and
bring freedom and democracy to Iraq and Afghanistan, it is up to us to defend our
military men and women and our fellow citizens here at home.
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