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Would-be al-Qaeda recruit planned to hit Columbia county
A community in Columbia County is one target listed by a man who prosecutors say was planning an attack on America.Federal officials connect the man from Wilkes-Barre with Al Qaeda. In court documents, the FBI lists Benton as one of the places where Michael Reynolds was plotting a terrorist strike. Benton is a small community set in rural Columbia County. It's a place far from cities many would consider potential terrorist targets, a reason some people live here. "These little towns are so nice. I wouldn't think anyone would have any interest in doing something out here," said Louise Remenar of Benton. Right outside of town runs the transcontinental gas pipeline. Investigators believe Michael Reynolds wanted to attack it there. People in the community said they're shocked hearing about Benton on any terror target list. "That's why we're here. We want to raise our kids in a small town because it's safe here. That's amazing," said Allison Cross. In court papers, the FBI said Reynolds was working online with operatives he believed were part of Al Qaeda. Agents said he had plans for explosives and maps of targets including the Transalaska Pipeline, a refinery in Opal, Wyoming, the pipeline in Benton, and a refinery near Newark, New Jersey. Terrorism expert Joe Peters said don't be surprised. "Terrorists can be homegrown, motivated by environmentalism, animal rights or domestic sympathizers to Al Qaeda or other terrorist groups," said Peters. He used to work in the U.S. homeland security department and now runs a consulting service that deals with terrorism. Police activity filled Reynolds's neighborhood in Wilkes-Barre last year. A grenade was found in his home on Scott Street after he moved out. It was detonated safely. A federal investigation began not long after, much of it tracking Reynolds' moves on the web. "They get on the internet, know how to search and where to search they get placed into contact rather near them or half way around the globe and begin to connect through this new technology," added Peters. Reynolds is not charged in connection to this alleged terror plot. He is in the Lackawanna County jail charged with causing that grenade incident. He tells the FBI he's not a terrorist, that he was working to trap Al Qaeda members and prevent an attack. Posted by: Dan Darling 2006-02-14 |
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