A suspect has been arrested in an alleged terror plot that involves a Chicago target. U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez, stated that a suspect was arrested in a case with national security implications.
Law enforcement officials say the man was a U.S. citizen, and planned to commit some sort of terrorist attack in Chicago. The man had “ideas and desires, but no means,” law enforcement sources said.
A source said earlier that the alleged plot might have involved a shopping mall, but later information did not specify what the target was.
Law enforcement officials added that the alleged plot was not on the level of 9/11, and even “three rungs below” the recent Miami plot that was disrupted. That plot involved alleged plans to blow up Chicago’s Sears Tower.
The man arrested Friday is considered a lone operator without ties to any known terrorist organization, law enforcement sources said.
He has an appearance in Chicago’s federal court at 11:45 a.m.
The U.S. Attorney’s office said a written statement and comments from U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and FBI special-agent-in-charge Robert Grant will soon be provided.
Video of the news conference is available at the link below.
