Yet another convert to Islam gets the idea that his new religion calls upon him to commit treason and mass murder. Authorities remain resolutely incurious about this recurring phenomenon.
An update on this story. “FBI details suspected Fourth of July terrorist plot for downtown Cleveland,” by Adam Ferrise and Evan MacDonald, Cleveland.com, July 2, 2018:
CLEVELAND, Ohio — A Maple Heights man plotted to set off a bomb at the Fourth of July fireworks celebration in downtown Cleveland in an attempt to “strike at the values at the very core of our nation,” authorities said.
Demetrius N. Pitts, 48, expressed a desire to join al Qaeda and kill U.S. citizens — including military personnel and their families — as he told the undercover agent of his plot to conduct a July 4 attack on Voinovich Park, where the fireworks are set off each year, authorities said Monday during a news conference announcing Pitts’ arrest.
“Just last week, this defendant was walking around downtown Cleveland conducting reconnaissance on what he believed was a large-scale attack,” U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio Justin Herdman said. “He looked for a place to park a van full of explosives.”
Pitts is charged with one count of attempting to provide material support to al Qaeda, a designated foreign terrorist organization, authorities said during a news conference at the FBI office in downtown Cleveland….
Pitts is a U.S. citizen and Philadelphia native, but he became radicalized and is also known by the names Abdur Raheem Rafeeq and Salah ad-Deem Osama Waleed, authorities said.
An affidavit filed in the case says Pitt expressed anti-American sentiment between 2015 and 2017. In 2018 he was introduced to an undercover FBI agent who he believed to be an al Qaeda “brother,” the affidavit says.
Pitts met the undercover agent June 22 in Walton Hills. During the meeting he told the undercover agent of his desire to conduct a terrorist attack during the Fourth of July celebration in downtown Cleveland, authorities said.
“What would hit them at their core?” Pitts told the undercover agent, according to the affidavit. “Blow up in the, have a bomb blow up the Fourth of July parade.”…
Pitts planned to conduct the attack at Voinovich Park, the affidavit says. He was also pleased the location is near the U.S. Coast Guard station and the Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building, the affidavit says.
Pitts told the undercover agent he planned to travel to downtown Cleveland to conduct reconnaissance on the area. He also planned to take a tour of the Coast Guard station, the affidavit says.
The undercover agent texted Pitts on June 22 and indicated al Qaeda “brothers” would provide him a bus pass and a cellphone. A confidential source then met Pitts on July 25 in Maple Heights and gave him the items, authorities said.
Pitts texted the undercover agent the following day to say he’d completed his reconnaissance, and that he wanted to “destroy the government,” the affidavit says. He subsequently met with the confidential source to the return the cellphone, so its content could be given to al Qaeda “brothers,” the affidavit says.
The phone also contained two videos in which Pitts pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda, the affidavit says….
jihad3tracker says
Ah yes !!! Another ultra intelligent Islamic face .
jihad3tracker says
Ah yes !!! Another ultra intelligent Islamic face .
J D S says
I am thankful that the undercover agents are at work stopping these…………(can’t use the word) from becoming full fledged terrorist. Apparently this one was born here and never came from a Muslim nation. Why he got so stupid in his lifetime I will never understand. He is a traitor and we need to start making examples of these scumbags. My suggestion would to use a public firing squad… but the ACLU and every scumbag muslim group would be screaming foul and black lives matter would be in the streets killing innocents and destroying property along with the Muslim groups and probably Christian Religious groups would be pounding the pavement also.
If the leadership don’t soon get some guts and quit this pussyfooting we are going to have a bloodlust in our streets …The people will soon take matters in their own hands if leaders don’t act. This is still partly America. Read the Constitution concerning unlawful government.
BC says
I do not think you will find intelligent people joining Islam, they are usually the losers who have an axe to grind. Islam gives them attentionand recognition and a ’cause’. Odd though how the clerics never tell them terrorism is bad and not to do it!
Kufar says
Thank you Mr. Spencer (swt) for the story.
gravenimage says
Kufar, I know you are joking–but I actually find the (swt) appellation rather disturbing.
Walter Sieruk says
With that awful statement by that jihadist of Cleveland who had the murderous intention of setting off a bomb jihad attack in the 242 anniversary of the United States , the signing of the Declaration of Independence . That jihad Muslim said that he wanted “To strike at the values at the very core of our nation.” He and other like-minded jihadist/Muslims are both vicious and dangerous .Yet we should yet not feel fear but keep aware of our surroundings and stay alert to anything that looks not quite right. As in “What’s wrong with this picture? Then go ,if something wrong is seen, and tell the right person about it. For example, in NY.NY that Tee-shirt vendor who saw some smoke come out of a parked van and then told a police officer about it. Furthermore , as Americans we should and must remember that for the United States to continue as a great power in the world in spite of the current threats of the Islamic terrorism by jihadist /Muslim terrorists who are operatives of ISIS, Al Qaeda and other jihadists of other similar jihad terror entities. Americans then should have Vigilance, Conviction and, of course, Fortitude. As one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence had declared, Thomas Jefferson, “Let the eye of vigilance never be closed.” and “A conviction that we are right accomplishes half the difficulty of correcting wrong.” Likewise, Mr. Jefferson had also stated “Fortitude…teaches us to meet and surmount difficulties; not to fly from them.” So in other words we , as Americans ,should have learned keep moving on strongly with Vigilance, Conviction and Fortitude.
Sons of Liberty says
+1 I agree . We must also realize the attraction of this evil ideology (Islam) to individuals who feel wronged in life and feel a need to avenge what they feel to be past wrongs ,…no matter how many centuries have passed ! This is what bothers me about this evil ideology (Islam)…. it is perfect for ANGRY people and plays them right into the hands of the Father of Lies (Satan) !
JawsV says
Religion of Peace!
Ashley says
The undercover agent texted Pitts on June 22 and indicated al Qaeda “brothers” would provide him a bus pass and a cellphone. A confidential source then met Pitts on July 25 in Maple Heights and gave him the items, authorities said.
_____________________
Cleveland.com made a typo, Robert. I viewed the original affidavit…Pitts received the bus pass and cellphone from the undercover agent on June 25, 2018 not July 25 which is weeks away.
gravenimage says
True.
PRCS says
There was at least one other typo in that article: “source to the return the cellphone…”
Ashley says
I realize this is an active investigation and details must be kept close to the vest to build the case against Pitts.
That said, I’m just curious if Pitts had the means to pull off this plot. It would certainly require financing…a van, explosives, etc..
I viewed the press conference but no indication was introduced that Pitts had the van, the explosives to bomb the parade, treat” the children of military personnel with explosive “gifts” or funding from Al-Qaeda.
The press conference DID illustrate a man bent on terrorism, posting disturbing messages on social media and doing recon on his intended target. I hope they have more incriminating evidence against this lunatic.
Why did the agent purchase a bus pass for Pitts? Could he not afford one?
PRCS says
I don’t think Pitts had either the wherewithal or the financial resources to pull that attack off.
He had probably been convinced by the FBI that al Qaeda “brothers” would do that.
Ashley says
Honestly, I’m more afraid of the SMART jihadist. The one that isn’t foolish enough to spout off on social media, associate with supposed confidantes (e.g. strangers), or otherwise show his/her hand of evil intent. I fear the silent ones that tinker with explosives, castor beans, dirty bombs, truck rentals, etc. in privacy. The ones that don’t draw attention to their dark, deranged heart.
These are the ones I fear the most…
Ashley says
+1.
I totally agree, Jay Boo.
Thanks for your keen insight.
Yu says
You would think a smart person won’t become a Jihadis.
Sons of Liberty says
EXACTLY , Jay Boo ! The people who ignorantly …or willingly give COVER to this evil ideology called Islam ! They put ALL AMERICANS in DANGER . The people in the US State Department who gleefully bring in Muslim so-called refugees hoping to change America . The Muslim Brotherhood is unfortunately winning in our Country. I am HOPING President Trump can STOP THEM ! The FBI undercover agents who are protecting us put their lives at risk and we should remember that with all the bad news generated by certain leadership individuals.
utis says
I have seen photos (check Google Images, some pictures are redundant) where the accused has a zebibah. Time to give him a CAT scan while he’s in custody. Even his lawyer should allow it, just to prove his massive brain damage.
It’s also funny about the existence of different versions, though I admit the zebibah could be photoshopped in or out of the original picture.
gravenimage says
Cleveland: Muslim plotted jihad mass murder on Fourth of July
……………………
Most people think about freedom, fireworks, bar-b-que, getting together with family and friends on the fourth. Not everyone, apparently…
JawsV says
Guess what the 5:30 evening news (NBC) forgot to mention?
That Demetrius is a convert to Islam. Yep, they left that out.
gravenimage says
Yes, Jaws. I wonder what his Muslim name is?
JawsV says
From above article:
“Pitts is a U.S. citizen and Philadelphia native, but he became radicalized and is also known by the names Abdur Raheem Rafeeq and Salah ad-Deem Osama Waleed, authorities said.”
NBC left out those names, too.
JawsV says
The Cleveland.com article does mention he’s a Muslim:
“Demetrius N. Pitts, 48, a Muslim who the FBI reported had been radicalized in the United States…”
gravenimage says
Thank you, Jaws.
PRCS says
Note, too:
The FBI agent referred to Pitts’ “radical agenda” and that he had been “radicalized in the United States.”
Does he parrot that nonsense because that’s the agency’s policy or because he really thinks he’s stating facts?
Mark Berlinger says
FBI agent Anthony states that Mr. Pitts AKA Abdur Reheem Rafeeq came to their attention in 2017 because of his statements of violent intentions and desire to join a foreign terrorist organization. What is missing at this press conference is how did Abdur Reheem Rafeeq come to misunderstand the teachings of “the religion of peace.” How did he become radicalized to the point of wanting to commit violent acts? Did his radicalization happen in a mosque? Who is his spiritual counselor and from what country is the imam or sheikh?
PRCS says
Not to be mean, but he wasn’t ‘radicalized’.
JawsV says
He was just following Islam. Which the West calls “radicalized.”
PRCS says
Definitely a part of the problem.
Dj says
I am still wondering why we allow more Muslims into the U.S. when their religious text promotes violence?
JawsV says
Our PC leaders will not admit that Islam promotes violence. I don’t know why. I think it must have to do with because the adherents are brown.
Michael Casmer says
Why are they mentioning this now? We now know that the FBI is corrupt, so why are they mentioning this now? Are they trying to prove that sometimes the FBI is vigilant on some things but not others? I don’t trust the report. Something is wrong.
JawsV says
I trust the report. Yes, the Feds got this one but missed others (Parkland shooter). They’re human and so will err. That’s how it is. Celebrate they got this African pinhead convert-to-Islam before he carried out Jihad upon Cleveland.
gravenimage says
I’m glad when law enforcement stops Jihad terror attacks. Why aren’t you?
Richard Courtemanche says
Useless evil species. Eradicate.
JawsV says
They keep over-multiplying due to polygamy, child brides and demographic Jihad.
gravenimage says
Muslims are not a separate species.
EricOfManchester says
Is it possible al Queda was planning to stir up hostilities between liberals and conservatives by blaming the liberals for bombing this parade?
gravenimage says
I have my issues with liberals, but when have they ever bombed parades?
Carol says
“The undercover agent texted Pitts on June 22 and indicated al Qaeda “brothers” would provide him a bus pass and a cellphone. A confidential source then met Pitts on July 25 in Maple Heights and gave him the items, authorities said.”
Did you all mean that he met Pitts on June 25th, not July 25th ? Just wondered if it was a typo.