I must admit, I had assumed Portland would be the last place on earth for a Christmas-related terror attempt:
.
Somali-born teen arrested in car bomb plot
Feds supplied dud in sting at downtown Portland, Ore., Christmas tree lighting ceremony
PORTLAND, Ore. — A Somali-born teenager plotted to carry out a car bomb attack at a crowded Christmas tree lighting ceremony in downtown Portland on Friday, but the bomb turned out to be a dud supplied by undercover agents as part of a sting, federal prosecutors said.
Mohamed Osman Mohamud, 19, was arrested at 5:40 p.m. just after he dialed a cell phone that he thought would blow up a van laden with explosives but instead brought federal agents and Portland police swooping in to take him into custody.
The thwarted attack occurred at Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square before the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, The Oregonian reported.
Mohamud yelled “Allahu Akhkbar” and tried to kick agents and police as the arrest came, according to prosecutors.
He was charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction.
He is expected to make his first appearance in federal court in Portland on Monday, and faces a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine, an FBI statement said.
Complete story is here.
.
