WASHINGTON, June 18, 2008

Internet Ties Link U.S. Terror Cells

CBS News Has Learned E-Mails, Phone Calls Connect North American Jihadi Suspects

  • Play CBS Video Video Domestic Terrorism Fears Rise

    Three Ohio men have been convicted on terrorist charges, but it turns out their case is not isolated. CBS News has found troubling connections to other terrorist cells in the U.S. Bob Orr reports.

  • Aspiring terrorists plotted to carry out attacks against U.S. soldiers in Iraq, but these terrorists are right at home in Toledo, Ohio. Photo

    Aspiring terrorists plotted to carry out attacks against U.S. soldiers in Iraq, but these terrorists are right at home in Toledo, Ohio.  (CBS)

  • Interactive America On Guard

    The Homeland Security Department, the terror alert system, preparedness quiz and more.

  • Interactive Global Terror

    Major terrorist organizations, the FBI's most wanted and facts and photos from recent attacks.

(CBS)  An ex-commando, working undercover for the FBI, took photographs as aspiring terrorists plotted to carry out attacks against U.S. soldiers in Iraq.

They trained with weapons and learned how to make suicide vests.

Only this didn't happen in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Pakistan. This training played out in Toledo, Ohio, and involved three Americans drawn to the call of Jihad, CBS News justice and homeland security correspondent Bob Orr reports.

While these radicals have now been convicted, CBS News has learned e-mails and phone calls connect the Toledo cell to terror suspects in at least three other North American cities - and to a notorious al Qaeda operative.

"Its important that we just don't look at cells in isolation, we look at their connectivity to each other," said CBS News homeland security consultant Paul Kurtz.

Here's how this radical web was spun.

The Toledo trio was in frequent contact with two Chicago men who are now charged with plotting attacks of their own.

Those Chicago suspects in turn communicated with two college-age students in Atlanta, sending e-mails asking them to "come and see our preparation..." for violent Jihad.

That preparation, the government charges, was conspiring with a Canadian terror cell to bomb Toronto landmarks.

And it all connected through the Internet, and to a shadowy al Qaeda webmaster known as Irhabi 007.

When police raided 007's London flat in 2005 they found among the evidence a video showing security at the U.S. Capitol, fuel tanks and other targets in Washington. The video was shot by the Atlanta suspects.

None of these plots came close to working - all were infiltrated and busted.

But, the connections suggest there is an active network of support for homegrown radicals looking to do us harm.

© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Video and Galleries from CBS Evening News

Add a Comment See all 184 Comments
by feelfree4u June 18, 2008 7:42 PM PDT

Re: "While these radicals have now been convicted, CBS News has learned e-mails and phone calls connect the Toledo cell to terror suspects in at least three other North American cities - and to a notorious al Qaeda operative."

Well, I guess that anyone with a phone or computer, that is critical of the regime, should be rounded up and disappeared or executed than, eh Bob?

Good work.
Reply to this comment
by feelfree4u June 18, 2008 7:43 PM PDT

Re: "Here''s how this radical web was spun."

OOOoooo! A radical, spinning web...sounds pretty scary, Bob.
Reply to this comment
by feelfree4u June 18, 2008 7:48 PM PDT

Re: "None of these plots came close to working - all were infiltrated and busted."

True. In fact, as always seems to be the case, these "cells" were facilitated by U.S. government operatives, weren''t they, Bob?

Obviously, they lacked the means or the organization to do anything on their own, as always seems to be the case.

These spinning, webby "radicals" most likely posed even less of a threat than a few tainted tomatoes, wouldn''t you say, Bob?
Reply to this comment
by dowjones20k June 18, 2008 7:50 PM PDT
FeelFree4U ... I trust you did not have any family killed in the WTC on 9-11 ...

your ignorance and immaturity show terribly ...

you think this stuff is some kind of videogame or something?

Hopefully none of your family is as ignorant as you ... your position is dispicable ....
Reply to this comment
by labrat9999 June 18, 2008 7:53 PM PDT
If you think these three nut bags were bad...I dare you to walk down certains streets in America after dark without a weapon. Or you don''t even need to go that far, just go visit a local prison. This whole terrorist nonsense is getting old and we are forgetting the big picture. But this sells news...not gangs in LA or New York killing people every day!! Or the number of violent offenders overcrowding are prisons!
Reply to this comment
by guysdigdirt June 18, 2008 7:53 PM PDT
This could never happen in America, terrorists in America? IT_oldtimer said it is impossible.

Reply to this comment
by labrat9999 June 18, 2008 7:56 PM PDT
And by the way, stop giving these nuts so much coverage in the media and they won''t feel so empowered and great! This type of reporting just helps them recruit other otherwise nutty people.
Reply to this comment
by feelfree4u June 18, 2008 8:01 PM PDT

Re: "you think this stuff is some kind of videogame or something?"

Posted by dowjones20k

That is a pretty good analogy, albeit a very dangerous one, with very real and deadly consequences.

How''s that DOW doing?

Any closer to 20k?
Reply to this comment
by feelfree4u June 18, 2008 8:07 PM PDT

Re: "- and to a notorious al Qaeda operative."

Who might that be, Bob?

re: "...and to a shadowy al Qaeda webmaster known as Irhabi 007"

MI5?

Do you believe everything that you read from anonymous posters on the Internet, Bob?

This article has been "linked" to the shocking gullibility of far too many Americans.
Reply to this comment
by feelfree4u June 18, 2008 8:13 PM PDT

OOOooo...black and white footage.

Nice touch Bob.
Reply to this comment
by haoli25 June 18, 2008 8:29 PM PDT
I am doing my part, I am not buying even one of those ''authentic'' replica watches from these terrorists.
Reply to this comment
by nelson5714 June 18, 2008 8:30 PM PDT
How''''s that DOW doing?

Any closer to 20k?

Posted by FeelFree4U at 08:01 PM : Jun 18, 2008"

didn''t them dumb dumbs bimbos on fox claim the DOW was going to be 36000 by the end of the year ???
Reply to this comment
by nelson5714 June 18, 2008 8:31 PM PDT
This type of reporting just helps them recruit other otherwise nutty people.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by labrat9999 at 07:56 PM : Jun 18, 2008"

er ...they''re recruiting in america - they''re not going to be able to recruit any other type of person in america
Reply to this comment
by impeach_w June 18, 2008 8:55 PM PDT
None of these plots came close to working - all were infiltrated and busted.

But, the connections suggest there is an active network of support for homegrown radicals looking to do us harm.

A few nuts all connected through the Internet!

Imagine that.

Catch one and you have to a whole planet. Too bad they were Americans. Now we''re fWcking wiretaped too!

Reply to this comment
by hoseobama June 18, 2008 8:58 PM PDT
Gee, like what do you suppose was CBS''s first clue.

Not like this is an exclusive.
Reply to this comment
by impeach_w June 18, 2008 9:01 PM PDT
Weren''t these the guys imprisoned for playing paintball in the woods?
I''m glad that was thwarted while the communications of my country were monitored...
Reply to this comment
by feelfree4u June 18, 2008 9:06 PM PDT

Re: "er ...they''re recruiting in america - they''re not going to be able to recruit any other type of person in america"

Posted by nelson5714

THAT was a good one, and regards to "Nancy_Naive"!
Reply to this comment
by feelfree4u June 18, 2008 9:07 PM PDT

Re: "I have to say that I have seen a few of your posts in other articles and you never fail to amuse me."

Posted by ephd

Thank you. I often amuse myself as well.

This thread is a very good example.
Reply to this comment
by feelfree4u June 18, 2008 9:12 PM PDT

ephd,

Re: "You concoct and/or accept the must rediculous conspiracy theories about america and its government, and base this on flimsy evidence and hearsay."

Hey, if CBS Newz can do it, why can''t I?

Re: "However, any time that an article is written about the threat of terrorism, you become a super slueth dissecting every detail to prove that this story is impossible."

It''s not all that difficult, believe me.

Re: "Let me guess, you believe that 9-11 was a consipracy by Bush and Israel, right?"

I don''t know about that, but the official conspiracy theory is clearly not believable.

We definitely need a fresh, independent, and thorough investigation of the events of that day.

It does not make any sense to me that anyone interested in this topic would object to that.
Reply to this comment
by libhater1 June 18, 2008 9:17 PM PDT
FeelFree4U - Isnt Irhabi 007 your cell leader?
Reply to this comment
by feelfree4u June 18, 2008 9:19 PM PDT

Re: "FeelFree4U - Isnt Irhabi 007 your cell leader?"

Posted by libhater1

Nope. LexLuthor69U is my master.
Reply to this comment
by libhater1 June 18, 2008 9:26 PM PDT
FeelFree4U - "We definitely need a fresh, independent, and thorough investigation of the events of that day."

What the h@ll for? So a fresh, independent investigation can tell you that 2 planes hijacked by a terrorist cell and crashed into the twin towers, the pentagon, a field and 3,000 Americans were murdered. So you can still be in denial about what really happen and come on here and spew your Al Qeada propaganda. What a waste of money!
Reply to this comment
by feelfree4u June 18, 2008 9:28 PM PDT

Re: "What the h@ll for? So a fresh, independent investigation can tell you that 2 planes hijacked by a terrorist cell and crashed into the twin towers, the pentagon, a field and 3,000 Americans were murdered."

Posted by libhater1


Thanks for solving that mystery for us there Sherlock.
Reply to this comment
by libhater1 June 18, 2008 9:31 PM PDT
FeelFree4U - Any time ***!
Reply to this comment
by inventagod2 June 18, 2008 9:39 PM PDT

Duh! Slow news day on CBS...

So Bu$h will immediately launch a pre-emptive strike on personal computers and home phone networks...

Oh, wait - he already did.
Reply to this comment
by libhater1 June 18, 2008 9:39 PM PDT
FeelFree4U - Hows your old buddy Bin Laden doing today?
Reply to this comment
by feelfree4u June 18, 2008 9:40 PM PDT

Re: "FeelFree4U - Hows your old buddy Bin Laden doing today?"

Posted by libhater1


"I think he''s dead, Jim."
Reply to this comment
by libhater1 June 18, 2008 9:42 PM PDT
Inventagod2 - "So Bu$h will immediately launch a pre-emptive strike on personal computers and home phone networks"

Oh ***! I guess all the terrorists like FeelFree4U and pedophiles better watch out
Reply to this comment
by libhater1 June 18, 2008 9:43 PM PDT
FeelFree4U - "I think he''''s dead, Jim."

But yet still come on here spewing his word? You are dedicated!!!
Reply to this comment
by drinuk June 18, 2008 9:46 PM PDT
Yet another attempt to curtail the internet. Governments Worldwide hate this medium where ordinary folks can talk to each other, often learning the truth about those who wish to subvert freedom and set up a new world order. Like they rip off oil prices and cause food hikes, like they support Big Pharma and poison us and like they allow Monsanto to engineer our food. Little babies being shot with 48 doses of mind bending poisons prior to the age of four. THEY hate us knowing because it will in time blow their evil intentions, They tried to blame child *** abuse on the internet, now it''s terrorism, They want it heavily censored or closed down, They don''t want us knowing. Keep The Internet FREE !
Reply to this comment
by feelfree4u June 18, 2008 9:51 PM PDT

Re: "Posted by drinuk at 09:46 PM"

Hear, hear!
Reply to this comment
by libhater1 June 18, 2008 9:54 PM PDT
drinuk - Keep The Internet FREE !

Ok, lets just turn a blind eye to terrorist and child molesters.

Reply to this comment
by barbaram99 June 18, 2008 9:58 PM PDT
This is the real world. In Seattle there are shootings and so yer in dream world if ye think America is saf from the loonies. I dis not lose anyone in 9/11. There are people that did. bush caught in the dark. He was reading to children. Shut that trash down.
Reply to this comment
by drinuk June 18, 2008 10:01 PM PDT
libhater1, Cretin, we had all that c r a p long, long before the internet but they use it as an excuse to reign back on the medium. No one is excusing it, dipshit.
Reply to this comment
by Latrocinor June 18, 2008 10:04 PM PDT
What is clearly evident here are the conspiracy theorists.

These strange sad people are convinced the government is out to get them.

They can''t tell you why, but they can sure be paranoid.
Reply to this comment
by toolmangler-2009 June 18, 2008 10:05 PM PDT
Do you believe everything that you read from anonymous posters on the Internet, Bob?
This article has been "linked" to the shocking gullibility of far too many Americans.

Posted by FeelFree4U at 08:07 PM : Jun 18, 2008



People, you had best believe Feely4. He/She is the only Al Qaeda operative in the know. It is his/her job to allay suspisions of terrorist activity and blame The government fot the whole thing. Heres how to check him/her out, They will only post on stories that have terrorist info and every post will be a denial or ridicule of another poster. As good as the Govmnt is at disinformation, Feely4 is their equal. Shhhheeeeeeeesssssshhhhhhh ya can'' trust anybody!!!!
Reply to this comment
by libhater1 June 18, 2008 10:05 PM PDT
drinuk - I agree. There was plenty of that going on but why make it even easier for them?
The phones and internet should be heavily monitored. If you dont have anything to hide you shouldnt be worried about it.
Reply to this comment
by Latrocinor June 18, 2008 10:07 PM PDT
Feely4 is their equal. Shhhheeeeeeeesssssshhhhhhh ya can'''' trust anybody!!!!

Posted by ToolMangler
.. .. .. ..
FeelFreerU''s real name is Michael J. Totten
Reply to this comment
by libhater1 June 18, 2008 10:07 PM PDT
ToolMangler - Well said. Sooooo true. Thank you
Reply to this comment
by feelfree4u June 18, 2008 10:09 PM PDT

re: "FeelFreerU''s real name is Michael J. Totten"

Posted by bhoogren

Good one, Micheal J. Totten ("J" for jackass).
Reply to this comment
by Latrocinor June 18, 2008 10:11 PM PDT
re: "FeelFreerU''''s real name is Michael J. Totten"

Posted by bhoogren

Good one, Micheal J. Totten ("J" for jackass).

Posted by FeelFree4U
.. .. ..

Of course you know yourself better than anyone.
Reply to this comment
by feelfree4u June 18, 2008 10:14 PM PDT

Re: "Of course you know yourself better than anyone."

Posted by bhoogren


I think that just about anyone can take a quick look at this craven, goose stepping, imbecilic eunuch''s Website- www.michaeltotten.com- and figure out pretty quickly that it ain''t me, sport.
Reply to this comment
by Latrocinor June 18, 2008 10:16 PM PDT
I think that just about anyone can take a quick look at this craven, goose stepping, imbecilic eunuch''''s Website- www.michaeltotten.com- and figure out pretty quickly that it ain''''t me, sport.

Posted by FeelFree4U
.. .. .. ..

Of course it isn''t. Of course not.
Reply to this comment
by Latrocinor June 18, 2008 10:18 PM PDT
eunuch

Posted by FeelFree4U
.. .. ..

It seems strange you''d have such personal knowledge about his reproductive configuration if you weren''t him.
Reply to this comment
by drinuk June 18, 2008 10:23 PM PDT
bhoogren, way past your bedtime sonny. In ten years time you may have enough common sense to hold a conversation on these boards, until then, take your pills and go to sleep.
Reply to this comment
by feelfree4u June 18, 2008 10:24 PM PDT

Re: "It seems strange you''d have such personal knowledge about his reproductive configuration if you weren''t him."

Posted by bhoogren

A quick look at the Website reveals this fact.

Me thinks the eunuch doth protest too much there, Mike.

First you try to defame my fictitious name, now you want to be me.

Make up your mind there, champ.
Reply to this comment
by feelfree4u June 18, 2008 10:26 PM PDT

Re: "-And FeelFree4U is exactly who this article is referring to."

Posted by NoPacifism


Look out!

I''m right behind you!

Ooga-booga!
Reply to this comment
by toolmangler-2009 June 18, 2008 10:32 PM PDT
. Those of you who are stupid enough to believe that you are Governed by Saints and Angels are seriously deluded. There are none so blind as those who Will not see ! Go read luke 8 - 17.

Posted by drinuk at 10:13 PM : Jun 18, 2008



It is not the crooks in office that scare me, I know who and where they are. its the ones with the ''hidden Agendas that can manipulate people like Feely4 and others into doing their work for them.
Reply to this comment
by feelfree4u June 18, 2008 10:36 PM PDT

Re: "its the ones with the ''''hidden Agendas that can manipulate people like Feely4 and others into doing their work for them."

Posted by ToolMangler

The "hidden hand" of CBS Newz.

Scary.
Reply to this comment
by drinuk June 18, 2008 10:48 PM PDT
ToolMangler, If your not scared of the current bunch of thieving b a s t a r d s you must be one of them or just plain thick. They have very successfully brought this country and much of the Free world to it''s knee''s. There is no mitigation, no excuse, they have caused so much harm in so many ways it is unforgivable and sadly the American people, you and I will be counting the cost for many years to come, irrespective of who gets the White House.
Reply to this comment
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