IL Federal building targeted by Muslim convert
24 September 2009: Michael C. Finton, (a/k/a Talib Islam) 29, was arrested on charges of attempted murder of federal employees and attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction in connection with a plot to detonate a vehicle bomb at the federal building in Springfield, Illinois. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A convert to Islam while serving time in prison, FINTON also expressed interest in the homicidal assaults that killed 166 people in Mumbai, India last year and is an admirer of “American Talban” Johnny Walker Lindh.
Michael C. FINTON – Talib Islam (My Space page)
On Wednesday, 23 September 2009, Finton drove a van containing what he thought were explosives, parking the vehicle directly in front of the northwest corner of the federal building. He then got out of the van, locked the door and got into another vehicle driven by an undercover FBI ageent and drove off. A few blocks later, Finton made a cell phone call to remotely detonate the “bomb” in the van. FBI agents arrested Finton immediately after he attempted to detonate the device.
Interestingly, investigation found that Finton received a wire transfer of $1,375.14 from “Asala Hussain Abiba” of Saudi Arabia in March, 2008 for a month long trip to Saudi Arabia he took the following month.
Details of FINTON’S actions can be found in this criminal complaint (PDF file).
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