Cleveland Bomb Plot: 5 arrested in alleged plot to blow up Ohio bridge

(CBS/AP) WASHINGTON - The Justice Department says five men have been arrested in a plot to bomb a bridge outside Cleveland, Ohio.

A department official says the five men are self-described anarchists and are not tied to international terrorism.

The department also says the five men were taken into custody as part of an undercover operation by law enforcement authorities. 

CBS News reports that Douglas L. Wright, 26; Brandon L. Baxter, 20; and Anthony Hayne, 35, were arrested by members of the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force Monday night on charges of conspiracy and attempted use of explosive materials to damage physical property affecting interstate commerce.

Also arrested were Connor C. Stevens, 20, and Joshua S. Stafford, 23.

According to CBS affiliate WOIO, The FBI says the public was never in danger because the explosives were inoperable.

The FBI says that over the course of several months the accused discussed various targets in and around the Cleveland metropolitan area, with the Route 82 Brecksville-Northfield High Level Bridge being selected as the target. The bridge crosses over Cuyahoga Valley National Park from Brecksville to Sagamore Hills.

The five defendants are expected to appear today before a federal magistrate in U.S. District Court in Cleveland.