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| Suspect arrested in 4 July terror plot in Cleveland | |
| (1 day later) | |
| The FBI has arrested a Cleveland man on suspicion of plotting a terror attack on the 4 July independence holiday, bureau officials say. | |
| Demetrius Pitts, who was arrested on Sunday, has been monitored by the FBI since 2017 for "disturbing" Facebook posts supporting al-Qaeda militants. | Demetrius Pitts, who was arrested on Sunday, has been monitored by the FBI since 2017 for "disturbing" Facebook posts supporting al-Qaeda militants. |
| Mr Pitts, a US citizen, had allegedly been looking for locations in Cleveland at which to plant explosives last week. | Mr Pitts, a US citizen, had allegedly been looking for locations in Cleveland at which to plant explosives last week. |
| He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, the US attorney's office says. | He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, the US attorney's office says. |
| FBI special agent Steve Anthony, the head of the agency's Cleveland office, said during a news conference on Monday that Mr Pitts had continually made "statements of violent intentions" and "expressed willingness to conduct a US based attack" for al-Qaeda. | FBI special agent Steve Anthony, the head of the agency's Cleveland office, said during a news conference on Monday that Mr Pitts had continually made "statements of violent intentions" and "expressed willingness to conduct a US based attack" for al-Qaeda. |
| Mr Pitts - also known as Abdur Raheem Rahfeeq - discussed his hatred for the military, "wanting to chop off heads and hands", and a desire to commit a future attack in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, according to the FBI. | Mr Pitts - also known as Abdur Raheem Rahfeeq - discussed his hatred for the military, "wanting to chop off heads and hands", and a desire to commit a future attack in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, according to the FBI. |
| "This case illustrates that law enforcement cannot sit back and wait," Mr Anthony said. "We don't have the luxury of hoping an individual decides not to harm someone." | "This case illustrates that law enforcement cannot sit back and wait," Mr Anthony said. "We don't have the luxury of hoping an individual decides not to harm someone." |
| Mr Pitts had moved to Cleveland in May, allegedly to better plan a terror attack in the city, the FBI said on Monday. Cleveland is the second largest in the Midwestern state of Ohio. | Mr Pitts had moved to Cleveland in May, allegedly to better plan a terror attack in the city, the FBI said on Monday. Cleveland is the second largest in the Midwestern state of Ohio. |
| An undercover agent had been speaking with Mr Pitts about his intentions. | An undercover agent had been speaking with Mr Pitts about his intentions. |
| The FBI alleges that last week Mr Pitts suggested to the agent that he wanted to blow up a Fourth of July parade. | The FBI alleges that last week Mr Pitts suggested to the agent that he wanted to blow up a Fourth of July parade. |
| On social media, Mr Pitts had been showing a "desire to commit violence against the United States", making comments including, "we need to know how to shoot guns", Mr Anthony said. | On social media, Mr Pitts had been showing a "desire to commit violence against the United States", making comments including, "we need to know how to shoot guns", Mr Anthony said. |
| He allegedly scouted several locations in central Cleveland, including a US Coast Guard station and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. | He allegedly scouted several locations in central Cleveland, including a US Coast Guard station and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. |
| Mr Pitts already had a criminal record including domestic violence and assault charges when the FBI charged him with attempted material support of a foreign terrorist organisation. | Mr Pitts already had a criminal record including domestic violence and assault charges when the FBI charged him with attempted material support of a foreign terrorist organisation. |
| US Attorney Justin Herman said at the news conference that Mr Pitts has been charged and will be appearing before a US magistrate judge on Monday. | US Attorney Justin Herman said at the news conference that Mr Pitts has been charged and will be appearing before a US magistrate judge on Monday. |
| The criminal complaint alleges Mr Pitts looked for locations to park a van filled with explosives, including a historic cathedral in the city. | The criminal complaint alleges Mr Pitts looked for locations to park a van filled with explosives, including a historic cathedral in the city. |
| Mr Herman also said Mr Pitts had talked about "giving remote control cars packed with explosives to children of military members". | Mr Herman also said Mr Pitts had talked about "giving remote control cars packed with explosives to children of military members". |
| "He wanted us to be afraid to speak our minds, he wanted us to be afraid to gather in public places," Mr Herman said. | "He wanted us to be afraid to speak our minds, he wanted us to be afraid to gather in public places," Mr Herman said. |
| Officials did not provide any further details as the investigation is ongoing. | Officials did not provide any further details as the investigation is ongoing. |