A man inspired by the Islamic State to launch a terror attack on U.S. soldiers has been arrested.
John T. Booker, 20, of Topeka, Kan., was arrested Friday morning allegedly attempting to arm car bombs outside Fort Riley’s gates. He was inspired to do so by the Islamic State.
The three charges against Booker, also known as Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, include planning to use a “weapon of mass destruction.”
“We face a continued threat from individuals within our own borders who may be motivated by a variety of causes,” U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom of Kansas said in a news release announcing the charges. “Anyone who seeks to harm this nation and its people will be brought to justice.”
Booker, who may be suffering from mental health issues according to sources, came to the FBI’s attention after an anonymous citizen complained to federal authorities about messages he had posted on his Facebook page.
“Getting ready to be killed in jihad is a HUGE adrenaline rush!!” he allegedly posted on March 19, 2014. “I am so nervous. NOT because I’m scared to die but I am eager to meet my lord.”
He was then interviewed by FBI agents the following day in which he admitted to enlisting in the U.S. Army months early with the intent to commit an insider terror attack similar to the one at Ft. Hood, Texas, which left 13 dead and dozens more injured.
After that, an FBI informant began engaging with Booker. During those conversations, he “repeatedly expressed his desire to engage in violent jihad on behalf of [the Islamic State],” the FBI alleges in court documents.
“Booker stated that he formulated several plans for committing jihad once enlisted, including firing at other soldiers while at basic training at the firing range or while at his pre-deployment military base after completing his initial military training,” the court documents say. “Booker clarified that he did not intend to kill ‘privates,’ but that he instead wanted to target someone with power.”
According to authorities, Booker had rented a storage locker in Topeka and bought several bomb materials.
There was never a security breach at Fort Riley and the assembled bomb was incapable of explosion, authorities said.
The investigation into Booker was conducted by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, including members from the FBI’s Kansas City Division, the Topeka Police Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol.
If he is convicted of any three counts against him, he could be sentenced to life in prison.
(H/T ABC News, the Kansas City Star)
