HOUSTON -- Prosecutors say a Pennsylvania man who was angry over being denied custody of his children was ready to take revenge on the US by teaming up with al-Qaida.
Ronald Grecula was arrested by undercover FBI agents on Friday. He's accused of trying to build a bomb and sell it to someone he thought was an al-Qaida member. It turned out to be a federal agent.
Grecula made an initial court appearance today in Houston.
US Attorney Michael Shelby says the suspect had been jailed in Malta for parental kidnapping years ago. He says it was during that time that Grecula began talking with another inmate about making bombs capable of destroying buildings. Shelby says the other inmate then told authorities about it.
A mechanical engineer, Grecula allegedly said he could buy all the needed bomb parts at a welding store.
According to the criminal complaint, an agent asked Grecula if he would object to an attack that would kill "a bunch of Americans. Grecula replied that he could "stand it."
Ronald Grecula was arrested by undercover FBI agents on Friday. He's accused of trying to build a bomb and sell it to someone he thought was an al-Qaida member. It turned out to be a federal agent.
Grecula made an initial court appearance today in Houston.
US Attorney Michael Shelby says the suspect had been jailed in Malta for parental kidnapping years ago. He says it was during that time that Grecula began talking with another inmate about making bombs capable of destroying buildings. Shelby says the other inmate then told authorities about it.
A mechanical engineer, Grecula allegedly said he could buy all the needed bomb parts at a welding store.
According to the criminal complaint, an agent asked Grecula if he would object to an attack that would kill "a bunch of Americans. Grecula replied that he could "stand it."
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