Sears Tower plot investigation is under scrutiny; 'made for TV event'

Edited by JamBoi on Thu Jun-29-06 02:00 PM
Sears Tower plot investigation is under scrutiny;
'Classic case of entrapment,' 'made for TV event'
One suspect confesses to targeting FBI buildings

Methods questioned in investigation leading up to Sears Tower arrests

RAW STORY
Published: Thursday June 29, 2006

Critics are voicing concern about the FBI’s use of informants, methodology, and alleged pattern of entrapment in relation to the arrests last week of seven Miami men for having allegedly plotted to blow up the Sears Tower in Chicago and federal buildings in other cities, RAW STORY has learned.

The Liberty Seven case, named after the Miami area in which they were arrested, shows a striking resemblance to the California McDavid case, in which an independent “confidential informant” was also used – a woman by the name of Anna.

As previously reported by RAW STORY, Anna had infiltrated a group that, by all accounts, was non-violent prior to her arrival:

“In January 2006, Eric McDavid, Lauren Weiner, and Zachary Jenson were arrested in California and charged with knowingly conspiring to use fire or explosives to damage property. Their arrest was the direct result of work by Anna, who was 'deeply embedded within the subjects' cell,' according to FBI documents.”

“However, McDavid's attorney, Mark Reichel, states that Anna was always pushing McDavid to do something criminal, taught the three how to make the bombs, supervised their activities, and repeatedly threatened to leave them if they didn't start doing 'something.'"

In the Liberty City/Miami case, an undercover operative was also used, although this person was purportedly with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. Nonetheless, the case has raised similar concerns in the community about the propriety of such law enforcement actions.

Defense attorney Nathan Clark of Miami, appointed by the court to represent Rotschild Augustine, one of the “Liberty City Seven” defendants, states: “On the face of the indictment alone, this is a classic case of entrapment. Every activity deemed criminal in this case was written, directed, and produced by the government.”

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