North Carolina man pleads guilty to buying gun for terrorist jihad

Published May 14, 2013

Associated Press

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. –  A North Carolina man who the FBI says spoke of killing U.S. Army soldiers as part of a personal jihad has pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen firearm.

Erwin Antonio Rios admitted guilt Tuesday in U.S. District Court as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors.

In an affidavit filed with the court, FBI Special Agent Frank Brostrom said the 19-year-old from Fayetteville holds extremist Islamic views and told a government informant he would like to kill Fort Bragg soldiers.

Authorities said Rios also plotted to travel overseas to commit violence and devised a scheme to commit armed robberies to get money to buy weapons. The FBI set up a sting where Rios bought what he was told was a stolen handgun and was then immediately placed under arrest.

View the original article here

Massachusetts student held on $1M bail for alleged terrorist threat

Published May 03, 2013

Associated Press

METHUEN, Mass. –  A Massachusetts high school student is held on $1 million bail on a charge that he threatened to kill people and outdo the Boston Marathon bombings.

Eighteen-year-old Cameron Dambrosio of Methuen pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday in Lawrence District Court on a charge of communicating a terrorist threat. He was arrested Wednesday.

A dangerousness hearing was set for May 9.  His defense attorney declined to immediately comment on the case to reporters outside court Thursday.

Chief Joseph Solomon tells The Eagle-Tribune the threats were made on Facebook and weren't directed at a specific person or target.

Police searched his house and turned over a computer and Xbox to state police for analysis. Detectives are also looking at his Facebook page.

A message left at Dambrosio's home by The Associated Press wasn't returned Thursday.

View the original article here