Feds: Mass. man planned to blow up Pentagon

Secret Service counter-sniper team looks out from atop the flag-draped Pentagon during a 10th anniversary remembrance ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial in Washington on Sept. 11, 2011. / AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

BOSTON - A 26-year-old Massachusetts man has been arrested and accused of plotting to destroy the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol with large remote-controlled aircraft filled with explosives.

Rezwan Ferdaus of Ashland was arrested Wednesday in Framingham when undercover federal agents delivered materials he'd requested for his alleged plan, including grenades, six machine guns and what Ferdaus believed was C-4 explosive.

Ferdaus also targeted U.S. soldiers, CBS News has learned.

Ferdaus, a U.S. citizen and Northeastern University graduate, was scheduled to make an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester on Wednesday afternoon.

A message for comment was left for his attorney, Catherine Byrne.

According to the federal affidavit, Ferdaus began planning "jihad" against the U.S. in early 2010. He allegedly believed he would have a large psychological impact by killing Americans, who he described as "enemies of Allah."

According to the affidavit, Ferdaus modified mobile phones to act as an electrical switch for an IED. He then supplied the phones to FBI undercover agents, who he believed to be recruiters for al Qaeda. Ferdaus allegedly believed that the devices would be used to kill American soldiers overseas and he was told that his first phone detonation device had killed three U.S. soldiers in Iraq.

According to the affidavit, Ferdaus responded, "That was exactly what I wanted."

[slappy-mcjohnson]

by Mortarman29_1SG September 28, 2011 8:10 PM EDT
Sorry James. You get it wrong YET AGAIN!

You see, you get conservatives together, they peacably march, clean up after themselves, help others around them if the heat gets to them, etc.

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

Mortar, as usual, enjoys making up facts.

I know liberals who are very tidy. I know conservatives who are slobs.

The problem for Mortar is that he pretends to live in a black-and-white world where there are no gradients. He prefers idealism over realism.

He's also a first-class hypocrite. He claims to follow Jesus, yet demeans and insults his fellow man every chance he gets. He claims to be against entitlements, yet enjoys his ad-infinitum government-funded pension... one which the Pentagon even has admitted is too much of an entitlement.

I promise you this, though - Mortar is the poster child for avoiding Christianity. "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians - they are so unlike your Christ." - Gandhi

.

[baileyccc]

Another scumbag taken off the streets. This is a good thing.

[longtree-2009]

the man didn't get the material over the internet but from federal agents presume in some sort of sting operation. funny how most of the nation hates hispanic illegals but embrace muslims. go figure.

[bigsk8fan]

BREAKING NEWS: boener and mcconnell just asked for a resolution to have 100,000 troops sent to MASS and a $1 Trillion military budget to cover the occupaton.

[SirSod]

If only he had used his talents for GOOD...instead of for EVIL!

[sallychicago]

You actually believe this nonsense? The guy was probably delusional and a schizoid-paranoid. No way could he have carried out an "attack". But I guess just the mere mention of it to feds gets you about 20 years right?

[dkb218]

I plan on winning the Lottery soon. Real Soon. Is that just as good as winning it? This guy planned on getting his hands on a few drones [LMAO] and blowing up the Pentagon! The FEDS - nice bunch that they are - even sent him a few bombs to get him started. That's just as good as doing it according to the FEDS. I'll be at my local BMW dealership tonight! Planning and doing are the same thing these days. Hi, can you wrap up the M5 for me please. I plan on winning he lottery soon.

[Zann-Zel]

Would you rather they wait until he actually DOES blow up the Pentagon before they do anything???

[dkb218]

So, we can lock people up for thinking about doing something now? This is the reaction of a scared society. You have a better chance of getting struck by lightening while water skiing in the dessert with a shark nipping at your heals than you have of being killed by terrorist. This guy has no means to carry out his plan. This use to be a proud strong country. Now we have punks like you who fell for the old "sky is falling" trick. I am ashamed of what we have become. Scared little cowards. Wimps.

[Zann-Zel]

Is treason still punishable by Death?

[Anotheryahoo]

WE dont let Nazi's practice in this country we sure should not let Islam be practice either, Its a religion of hate, murder and kill. With muslims comes these killers and bomb making cowards.

[displeased2]

Well, in that case we should exclude all religions.

[train99]

displeased
List the religions which promote murder, please.

[watash60c]

Lets make sure we give him all his rights and don't even think about questioning him because that may be like torture. Doing this will make liberals sleep better.

[dkb218]

I love people who say liberals like its a bad thing. You think that Conservatives have your best interest at heart? You are so disillusioned. Anyway you commie Nazi lover. This is AMERICA. We live be a rule of law. If you have a problem with the law of the land, then pack your commie bags and head back to Russia or China or whatever commie country you come from. Me and the rest of military have fought and died so you can be free and have the laws you presently have. If you don't like it commie, you are free to go. This is AMERICA not Russia!

[maxinerwb]

I agree wholeheartedly with creditbility 2. Try him for treason and execute him, now!
No more muslims should be allowed to join our military. Nadal Hassan should never have been allowed to join.
I do not understand why this is allowed. No such thing as a moderate muslim.

[1pheasant1]

Statements like yours' make some people wonder if there is such a thing as a moderate Christian.

[dkb218]

maxinerwb, there are presently 1.5 BILLION Muslims on this big blue rock. If ISLAM was a religion of evil like you think, you'd be dead. Crushed under the Earth. Islam is also the ONLY religion growing. Here's a little brain teaser for you. Remember that Jesus fella? Remember how the powers that be [you know the rich] hated him. Wanted him dead? How they did everything to get rid of him. How they killed off the first "Christains"? Do you see where this is going? You are on the wrong side of the coin. Muslims are also waiting for the person you know as Jesus to return.