Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari, 20, a citizen of Saudi Arabia and resident of Lubbock, Texas, was arrested late yesterday by FBI agents in Texas on a federal charge of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction in connection with his alleged purchase of chemicals and equipment necessary to make an improvised explosive device (IED) and his research of potential U.S. targets.
He appears to have being targeting 12 reservoir dams in Colorado and California and the home of former President George W. Bush. He is also alleged be researching how to booby-trap household items with explosives detonating with a remote control.
Aldawsari, was lawfully admitted into the United States in 2008 on a student visa and is enrolled at South Plains College near Lubbock, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the complaint, Aldawsari has been researching online how to construct an IED using several chemicals as ingredients. In addition, he has allegedly described his desire for violent jihad and martyrdom in blog postings and a personal journal.
