On May 2, 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice reported on the arrest of James Gonzalo Medina, 40, of Hollywood, Florida, who was charged by criminal complaint with knowingly attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction against a person or property within the United States, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2332a(a)(2). If convicted, Medina faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. James Gonzalo Medina was arrested Friday night as he walked toward the Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center synagogue in Hollywood, Florida, with what he thought was an explosive device in his hand, prosecutors said. The accused terrorist was part of an FBI sting operation with a “fake” bomb.
The accused terrorist was inspired by the ISIS terrorist movement, and sought to further the terrorist movement’s cause by his planned terrorist attack to inspire Muslims to commit other attacks. His goal was to have the television news media broadcast a story of an attack associated with “ISIS in America.” This once again demonstrates the de-centralized appeal of the ISIS terrorist movement, and its inspiration to individual radicalized extremists.
The U.S. Department of Justice reported that “[t]he arrest was the culmination of an undercover operation during which Medina was closely monitored by the South Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). The explosive device that he allegedly sought and attempted to use had been rendered inoperable by law enforcement and posed no threat to the public.”
In the Criminal Complaint Case Number 16-MJ-02562-WCT filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, David Clancy, Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) provided an affidavit regarding James Gonzalo Medina’s terrorist intentions in attacking the Florida Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center synagogue. The criminal complaint clarifies the intentions of the accused terrorist, who sought to attack the synagogue because he believed he would kill numerous Jewish worshipers during a Jewish holiday period.
James Gonzalo Medina also sought to affiliate the terrorist act with the ISIS terrorist movement, to show his solidarity with the extremist cause. He indicated that he sought to use this ISIS-inspired terrorist attack to “go nationwide and inspire other Muslims to attack as well.” The accused terrorist felt that such a bombing of a Jewish synagogue in America “would give hope and light to other Muslims in America.” The accused terrorist felt that the terrorist bombing would inspire other terrorist attacks in Washington, DC, California, and other places around the world. According to the affidavit, he stated: “I wanna see it go worldwide with now all the Muslims realizing you know, when it’s our time… Next thing you know it will be in California, Washington, and the brothers are saying you know, it’s our time now.”
In the FBI affidavit filed with the criminal complaint, James Gonzalo Medina stated that he wanted the bombing of the Jewish synagogue to “make it look like it is ISIS in America.” The affidavit states that: “MEDINA felt the news of this attack conducted in this manner would go nationwide and inspire other Muslims to attack as well.” The FBI affidavit also describes meetings of an FBI Confidential Human Source (CHS) with two of accused terrorist James Gonzalo Medina’s associates “TI” and “BH,” which jointly sought to “stake out” the synagogue in planning for a terrorist bombing attack on it. The FBI Confidential Human Source (CHS) tried to discourage them “MEDINA is suicidal, he’s not a Muslim,” but the terrorist’s associates insisted on pursuing the plot to bomb the Florida Jewish synagogue.
The FBI affidavit reports that originally the accused terrorist James Gonzalo Medina planned to attack the Florida Jewish synagogue worshipers using an automatic rifle. The affidavit states: “Given that one of [accused terrorist] MEDINA’s associates had informed the CHS [Confidential Human Source] that MEDINA was planning to martyr himself in a firearms attack on the synagogue, the CHS sought to gather further details of the operation. MEDINA confirmed his desire to conduct the attack using AK-47 assault rifles.”
Furthermore, the FBI affidavit describes the ideological basis for the extremists’ terrorist plot. The affidavit states: “The CHS [Confidential Human Source] initially met with [accused terrorist] MEDINA alone. Over lunch, MEDINA described his conversion to Islam which occurred approximately four years ago. MEDINA explained some of his religious philosophies that form the basis for his current hatred for Jewish people made reference to a conversation he/she had with [terrorist associate] TI regarding a synagogue in Aventura.” MEDINA explained that if he would conduct an attack he would want to do it at a synagogue because Jewish people are the ones causing the world’s wars and conflicts. The CHS disclosed that TI had explained that MEDINA desire to become a martyr in the attack but the CHS offered the alternative of the CHS assisting to facilitate MEDINA’S escape. MEDINA further explained that attacking one synagogue would give hope and light to other Muslims in America.”
The FBI affidavit also stated “When the CHS explained that there was a Jewish holiday in a few weeks, MEDINA responded by saying that it would be a good time to bomb them. When the CHS questioned how realistic it was for him to be able to undertake an attack MEDINA explained that ‘this is how we were talking, cause you know TI has those AK-47s and that was our mission to use that at the synagogue, on using his weapons.’ The CHS explained to MEDINA how TI’s weapons could be traced and told him he had a contact who could get them untraceable weapons. MEDINA further explained that the ‘plot that he and BH had discussed allowed them to ‘strike back to the Jews, by going to a synagogue and just spraying everybody…’cause we’re Muslims you know what I mean? It’s a war man and it’s like it’s time to strike back here in America.’ MEDINA then stated that he wanted to go inside to kill people while the others shot people as they were fleeing the scene.”
The FBI affidavit further states: “On April 13, 2016, the CHS again met with MEDINA. The two traveled to a fast food restaurant and then to a local park to eat their food. MEDINA spent the majority of the meeting describing the ‘movies’ he creates using the Internet. While discussing when the attack should occur, MEDINA stated, ‘I’m ready whenever you’re ready. . .I’m down for this. This is, I’ve already got all my life already set.’ The conversation then turned toward the details of the attack, and the CHS addressed the concerns of entering the synagogue with firearms and then getting shot and instead proposed leaving an unspecified object behind and leaving the scene. MEDINA then replied, ‘[L]ike drop a bomb and just leave it and then it pop, just pop that b*tch and we out.’ The CHS talked about a timer for the bomb and MEDINA liked the idea and described nearby locations from where the bomb could be detonated, stating ‘[a]nd then we inside the Mall and sh*t and just pop it from like.. .see like, see that like, them red lights over there? Them three lights over there, like way out there?” This was a reference to the local shopping mall and reference to the stoplights down the road. The CHS then described how a cellular telephone could serve to detonate the bomb, and asked MEDINA whether he would like that. MEDINA laughingly responded, ‘I would, I think that would be interesting.’ ”
The FBI affidavit also stated: “After some unrelated conversation, MEDINA reintroduced the idea of the attack. He asked the CHS if he ‘felt’ what he was saying. MEDINA continued, ‘Because right now man, I’m up for it. I really am. I wanna get away with it. But I wanna, I wanna see it make the news and everybody.’ MEDINA then commented that the news coverage could galvanize Muslims to worldwide action: ‘I wanna see it go worldwide with now all the Muslims realizing you know, when it’s our time… Next thing you know it will be in California, Washington, and the brothers are saying you know, it’s our time now.’ MEDINA then discussed placing the bomb in the parking lot of the synagogue, and added, ‘[W]e can just lay one out there and then bomb it later… I’d like to put it like, as close ms possible, to the door.’ MEDINA also expressed a concern for concealing his lacks and proposed ‘to run in and out real quick like if you just park the car, I’m gonna just go in there real quick.’ The CHS and MEDINA then discussed a proposal from the CHS to hide the bomb under a large jacket and then leave the bomb in one of the synagogue’s bathroom. Regardless of these operational details, MEDINA expressed his desire to cause harm: ‘I mean though, whatever, whatever it is, it’s just gonna go off. I wanna see damage happen to their ass. l wanna see something man.’ The CHS and MEDINA then concluded the meeting by agreeing to meet on Saturday, April 16, 2016. The CHS offered to call the purported explosives associate and MEDINA agreed, stating ‘Let’s see if we can set up some kind detonate man.'”
Other parts of the FBI’s affidavit further described the desire of the accused terrorist James Gonzalo Medina to murder others, his hatred for Jewish people, and his desire to inspire Muslims to commit terrorist acts.
The affidavit states: “MEDINA envisioned a terrorist operation that would inflict maximum casualties, commenting ‘Cause, uh, I’m sure this is gonna be hammered. All these people gonna die.'”
The affidavit states: “On April 20, 2016, the CHS and an FBI employee operating in an undercover capacity (‘UCE’) met with MEDINA in the UCE’S vehicle. The UCE was posing as the acquaintance of the CHS who was an associate with explosives expertise and access. While driving to get something to eat MEDINA told a story about a Jewish woman he had met earlier who had given him a ride. A discussion had ensued regarding her fear of Muslims once she realized MEDINA was a Muslim and her thoughts that MEDINA might kill her. Thereafter, MEDINA remarked to the UCE and the CHS that he had told her, ‘[Y]ou know, we’re, we’re just getting bombed for no reason, and it was time to get out. But it made me just think more that, you know, it just, when she said that you will kill me, I’m thinking yeah man, I want to. You know what I mean? I really do…'”
The affidavit states: “Later, while in the car with the UCE, MEDINA reaffirmed his desire to commit the synagogue attack. The UCE sought to test MEDINA’s interest in the bombing and cautioned him that he did not have to go through with it. The UCE asked, ‘Why do you wanna do this?’ MEDINA responded, ‘Because I realize that I have a lot of love for Allah. And I know that all these, all these wars that are going on, it hurts me, too. You know? It’s my call of duty. I gotta get back, when I’m doing this, I feel that l’m doing it for a good cause for Allah.'”
The affidavit stated: “MEDINA’s comments prompted the UCE to ask another question about his motivation, ‘What message are you sending?’ The UCE wanted to know more about MEDINA’s purpose in attacking the synagogue, including what claim of responsibility would be made. . MEDINA answered that ‘I’m gonna call that it’s ISIS in America.’ ”
The affidavit stated: “After MEDINA described the attack plan, the UCE for a fourth time sought to question him about his resolve, ‘You’re sure this is something you want to do man?’ MEDINA responded, ‘I feel like it’s my calling.’ The UCE pressed MEDINA further, ‘Well I don’t want you to be crazy. You’re gonna have to go into this with both eyes open. You understand what I’m saying?’ MEDINA responded that it is Allah’s will and that he’s not crazy and reckless to the point where he would get the UCE arrested: ‘No I’m not like that.’ The UCE cautioned MEDINA one more time that once you do this. there’s no going back.” MEDINA reiterated his plan to personally deposit the bomb, and after it detonated, enjoy watching the news coverage of the attack: ‘That we, they, whatever they’re sayin’, that they’re being bombed and all of that. . . and knowing that it was from us. And just getting’ a joy that I’m doing this you know, I did it. It worked out. And whatever happens. it’s for the glory of Allah.’ MEDINA further explained his hope to credit ‘ISIS’ for the attack: ‘I do wanna like leave a notice that ISIS is like you know, here. If there’s somehow we can just like leave a printer or something or something that’s saying that, so at least they, they can show it on Television look they’re leaving this that ISIS is here. You know?”
The affidavit stated: “After another lengthy explanation of the attack plan. in which MEDINA would exit the car and place the bomb near the synagogue door, the UCE once again explained the seriousness of what MEDINA was planning: ‘Now you know there’s gonna be women and kids and everything else in that place.’ MEDINA at first seemed to interpret the UCE’s comments as a risk to himself: ‘And that’s the thing I gotta play it right where we’re not gonna be you know, being seen. it’s just a drop off.’ But the UCE further pressed MEDINA on his willingness to kill innocent people: ‘No, I understand that but when you put a bomb in a place like this, are you okay, you’ve made peace with Allah that you’re fine with killing women and children and everything else.’ The following exchange then took place:”
“JM : I think so. I think I’m fine. Um hmmm
UCE: You need to be sure brother.
JM : I am pretty sure. I think so. I believe so. I’m ready bro!
UCE: Ok. Cause you know you don’t have to do any of this.
JM: What do you mean doing it?
UCE: No, you don’t have to do it if you’re not comfortable with it.
JM : What? I’m ready.
UCE: It’s Allah’s will but you know …
JM : I’m up for it. I really am. This is no joke. I’m serious dog. If I have the equipment, believe me, in the time is, is that day and we doin’ it, I’m up for it bro. Just like I said. I mean, if I go inside and drop it off, that’s gon, that’s gonna be risky. You know .
UCE: Yeah, yeah.
JM : I think it’s better that I just, we just pull up to the car, put it like on the side, in the un, under, in the front and then just get back in an leave. And that’s it. That car’s gonna blow up. And that’s gonna blow the one beside it and one and everybody inside, it’s gonna cause chaos.”
The affidavit stated: “On April 21, 2016, MEDINA, the UCE, and the CHS again met and MEDINA provided the UCE with a laptop-style computer bag to conceal the device and offered his cellular telephone for use in the device to trigger the detonation. The group discussed many of the same topics from the prior meeting to include whether MEDINA was comfortable with killing innocent women and children. MEDINA did not waiver and stated that he was ready. When asked to re-sketch the target location, MEDINA did so during the meeting, highlighting important mission-critical items, such as camera locations, entry and exit points, parking lots, and access roads. MEDINA provided the UCE with a leaflet he had created for copying that contained a photo of the ‘ISIS’ flag and the words ‘ISIS in America.’ Ultimately, MEDINA and the UCE decided that the attack would take place on Friday, April 29, 2016.”
The affidavit stated: “Prior to his meeting with the UCE, MEDINA made three videos on the CHS’ cellular telephone. In one, he stated: ‘I am a Muslim and I don’t like what is going on in this world. I’m going to handle business here in America. Aventure watch your back. ISIS is in the house.’ In another, he stated: ‘Today is gonna be a day where Muslims attack America. I’m going to set a bomb in Aventura.’ In the third, he said his goodbyes to his family.”
The accused terrorist, James Gonzalo Medina, was arrested by federal authorities on April 29, 2016. No one was injured.
Regarding the associates of the accused terrorist, the affidavit stated: “After the arrest of MEDINA, BH and TI were approached by agents. They each were cooperative and agreed to be interviewed. Each stated that they had heard MEDINA discuss his plans to conduct an attack. However, neither BH nor TI intended to participate with MEDINA.”
The following link provides an Adobe PDF file of the affidavit for Criminal Complaint Case Number 16-MJ-02562-WCT .
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) reject all extremist violence and acts of terrorism as an attack on our shared Universal Human Rights for all people in every part of the world.