ABC News correspondent Clayton Sandell reports Tuesday afternoon that a Florida resident and “self-professed ISIL adherent” has been arrested for planning to set off a backpack bomb on a public beach. The Depart of Justice and FBI both confirm the allegation.
Florida Resident Charged with Attempting to Use Weapon of Mass Destruction http://t.co/ToaD8Ckw6i
— Justice Department (@TheJusticeDept) July 28, 2015
#Breaking: Florida resident arrested & charged in alleged #ISIL-inspired plot to obtain weapons to conduct attacks. https://t.co/rhcGEGiUfB
— FBI (@FBI) July 28, 2015
A statement by the FBI’s Miami Division names the suspect as Harlem Suarez, 23, of Key West, Fla., who also goes by the name of Almlak Benitez.
According to the complaint, in April 2015, Suarez came to the attention of the FBI due to Facebook posts that contained extremist rhetoric and promoted the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
The complaint further alleges that Suarez told the confidential source that he wanted to make a “timer bomb.” Suarez purchased components for this device, which was to contain galvanized nails, be concealed in a backpack and be remotely detonated by a cellphone. Suarez intended to bury the device at a public beach in Key West and then detonate it.
On July 27, 2015, Suarez took possession of an inert device and was arrested.
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The formal complaint against Suarez can be found here.
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