White PLAINS, N.Y. — Four men arrested after planting what they thought were explosives near two New York City synagogues were disappointed that the World Trade Center wasn’t still around to attack, a federal prosecutor said Thursday as the men appeared in court.
The suspects were arrested Wednesday night, shortly after planting a 37-pound mock explosive device in the trunk of a car outside the Riverdale Temple and two mock bombs in the back seat of a car outside the Riverdale Jewish Center, another synagogue a few blocks away, authorities said. Police blocked their escape with an 18-wheel truck, smashing their tinted SUV windows and apprehending the unarmed suspects.
James Cromitie, 55; David Williams, 28; Onta Williams, 32; and Laguerre Payen, all of Newburgh, were charged with conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction.
All the suspects except Payen appeared in federal court in White Plains on Thursday. Payen was expected to appear in court later Thursday.
Lawyers for the defendants, all of whom are U.S. citizens, did not seek bail.
In arguing against bail, Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Snyder said: They were "disappointed…that the best target (the World Trade Center) was hit already,” he said, adding that they were "eager to bring death to Jews.”
by the associated press
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