Miami Terror Cell: How Big Was the Threat?
June 24, 2006 — -- The alleged terrorism plot broken up in Miami is sending out shock waves as people realize terror threats can come from within the United States as well as abroad. But critics are raising questions about how serious the threat actually was.
The seven men, members of a religious sect called the Sea of David, allegedly took photos of their targets but had virtually no money. And thus far, no explosives or weapons have been found. Officials say the men planned to take down some of the country's biggest buildings, including Chicago's Sears Tower and FBI buildings in Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington D.C., and " kill all the devils" they could.
Authorities say the group included leader Narseal Batiste, as well as Lyglenson Lemorin, Stanley Grant Phanor, Patrick Abraham (also known as Brother Pat), Naudimar Herrera, Rotschild Augustine (also known as Brother Rot) and Burson Augustin (also known as Brother B). Five of the men were arrested in Miami, one was arrested in Atlanta, and one was already in jail.
Turned In to the FBI
The men, who operated from a warehouse in Miami's blighted Liberty City, were turned in by a person they tried to recruit, officials say. They are now charged with conspiracy.
Former FBI official Bill Gavin said that after 9/11 more Americans are starting to recognize threats within their communities.
"To track these people down, you need the help of the public," Gavin said." There are red flag signs but not as prominent as one might think. You need to have the help of the public. After 9/11, people will get involved. They will go into the police station, approach a law enforcement person they know, describe to them the things they see that don't think is right. It's like a sixth sense."
According to the indictment, Batiste met a person disguised as an al Qaeda member several times last December. He asked for boots, uniforms, machine guns, radios, vehicles and $50,000 in cash to help him build an " 'Islamic Army' to wage jihad."
"They conspired to murder countless Americans for attacks that would be, in their words, just as good or greater than 9/11," said John Pistole, the deputy director of the FBI.
Sting Operation
On March 16, the men allegedly entered a warehouse outside of Miami. The FBI watched every move. Surveillance cameras took pictures which the FBI claims show each of the suspects pledging allegiance to al Qaeda. But authorities say they were caught because an FBI informant infiltrated the alleged cell and pretended to be a member of al Qaeda.
"An individual they thought was a member of al Qaeda was present at their meeting," Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said. "In actuality, he was working with the South Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force."
Terrorists of Misunderstood?
Officials admit the men were nowhere near ready to stage an attack.
"The group never got beyond talking about a workable plot," said Barbara Carley the managing director of the Sears Tower.
Family and friends say that the men are misunderstood and never meant any harm.
"It's nothing doing with terrorists; it's nothing doing with killing or no violence," said Marlene Phanor, a suspect's sister.
Although the men were clearly not prepared, Gavin said that there is no reason not to be vigilant with groups that talk about murder and jihad.
"You have to look at what they espouse," Gavin said. "They espouse to a jihad, Islamic jihad, and to kill as many people as they could in the United States and to blow up the Sears Tower. I think it's difficult, when you picture them as a bunch of bumbling kids. That's not the case at all. While they may do things that don't make sense a lot of times, that does not preclude them from being able to pull off something really tragic for the United States."
ABC News' Pierre Thomas contributed to this report.