Homegrown: Mass Man planned “to kill as many people as possible,’’ in terrorist attack

ASHLAND – An Ashland man who holds a physics degree from Northeastern University was charged yesterday with an Al Qaeda-inspired plot to send a remote-controlled aircraft carrying explosives into the Pentagon and the US Capitol “to kill as many people as possible,’’ according to a complaint filed in federal court.
Rezwan Ferdaus, 26, a US citizen whose only known previous crime was vandalism, told FBI agents working undercover as Al Qaeda members that he wanted to “change the world,’’ according to the complaint.
“I just can’t stop; there is no other choice for me,’’ he told the agents, according to an affidavit written by FBI Special Agent Gary S. Cacace.

“This is what we have to do. This is the righteous way . . . to terrorize enemies of Allah,’’ he said, calling for the deaths of any kafir, the Arabic term for nonbeliever.

Federal officials said that at no point did Ferdaus have sole control of explosive materials, such as C-4, or guns and that he was closely monitored by the FBI during his alleged plotting in the past year. But they also say that he was repeatedly questioned about his plans and that he was committed to carrying out the attacks.

“Our top priority is to protect our nation from terrorism and national security threats,’’ US Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz said in a statement.
“The conduct alleged today shows that Mr. Ferdaus had long planned to commit violent acts against our country, including attacks on the Pentagon and our nation’s Capitol.’’
More: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/09/29/ashland_man_charged_in_terrorist_plot/

Who is Rezwan Ferdaus?

Massachusetts man arrested in terror plot
(FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) – We’re learning more about 26-year-old Rezwan Ferdaus, the Ashland man accused of conspiring to blow up the US Capitol and Pentagon.

Rezwan Ferdaus was a 2008 graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, where he earned a degree in physics.
He graduated from Ashland High School in 2003.
Ferdaus used the alias “Dave Winfield” and “Jon Ramos”
At the time of his arrest he was living with his parents at 22 Coburn Drive in Ashland.
Voting records show his mother, Maria Ferdaus, works as a health coordinator. His father is an engineer.
Despite living in the neighborhood for 14 years, none of their neighbors seemed to know much about them.
According to a source, Ferdaus was a star soccer player in Ashland. He also ran track and graduated at the top of his high school class, receiving a scholarship to go to Northeastern.
According to an article in the Milford Daily News , Ferdaus and two other seniors at Ashland High School poured concrete in front of 10 of the school’s doors as part of a “prank” in 2003. They were also accused of burning an American flag and vandalizing the school’s tennis court net.
He is charged with a plot to damage or destroy the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol as well as attempting to provide support and resources to foreign terrorist organization al Qaeda
He was arrested by undercover agents posing as terrorists. He thought he was going to receive 25 pounds of C-4 explosives. 3 hand grenades. 6 fully automatic AK-47 rifles. Instead, he was busted.
He wanted to have remote control drone airplanes, packed them with explosives, crash them into the targets. The planes are about 5 feet long with a 4 foot wingspan.
He traveled to DC in May and chose sites where he would launch these drone planes filled with explosives.
Ferdaus has been planning to attack DC for 2 years. He wanted to killed woman and children and as many Americans as possible.
Ferdaus was also the drummer for the band The Silk Road.