An alleged plot to send anti-aircraft missiles and guns to Syria or Iran was thwarted after a key figure was arrested in Philadelphia, the FBI said in documents released Monday.Dani Nemr Tarraf was detained Saturday on charges of conspiracy to acquire a missile system designed to destroy aircraft and conspiracy to possess machine guns.
The FBI said the plot began as a scheme to smuggle stolen electronics — including video games, cell phones and laptops — and evolved into an effort by Tarraf to obtain weapons that could be shipped to Syria or Iran for what he called "the Resistance."
He was after missiles that could "take down an F-16," the affidavit says.
The affidavit alleges that Tarraf paid a $20,000 cash deposit to the agent in July for machine guns and shoulder-fired Stinger missiles. The documents say Tarraf's dealings with the undercover officer date back to June 2007.
Last week, authorities say, he traveled to Philadelphia to inspect his purchases.
-------------------------------------------
A Philadelphia man admitted he tried to extort money from New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin by mailing letters in which he threatened his family.Herbert Alex Simpson, 30, pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of sending threatening communications to Coughlin and one of Simpson's former employers, the Department of Justice said.
Simpson pretended to be other people in the letters, telling Coughlin that his "life would be a living hell by doing something to [his] family," according to the DOJ.
In correspondence to his ex-boss, Simpson threatened to kill him and his family.
Simpson faces up to 10 years in prison and more than $500,000 in fines when he's sentenced Feb. 26, the Justice Department said.
No comments:
Post a Comment