The FBI has charged a former United States Marine with planning an ISIS terror attack on San Francisco’s Pier 39. The plot involved killing as many civilians as possible during the Christmas holiday.
(San Francisco, CA) The Federal Bureau of Investigation has stopped a terror attack planned to kill Americans during Christmas. The suspect, Everitt Aaron Jameson, is a former United States Marine that was discharged for fraudulent enlistment after not disclosing that he had asthma. According to the FBI, he believed he was acting on behalf of ISIS. According to the criminal complaint filed by the FBI on Friday, Jameson is being charged with attempting to provide material support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
Jameson, also known as Abdallah abu Everett ibn Gordon al-Amriki, is a resident of Modesto, California and was employed as a tow truck driver. According to an FBI affidavit, Jameson converted to Islam two years ago and had increasingly become more radicalized since then.
“I Abdallah abu Everett ibn Gordon have committed these acts upon Kuffar, in the name of Dar al Islam, Allahu Akbar!” – Excerpt from a letter found in Jameson’s residence
In a letter found when the FBI executed a search warrant on Jameson’s residence, the would-be jihadist was upset by President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. According to the FBI, Jameson had been inspired to plan his attack by the October 31st truck attack in Manhattan that killed 8 and injured 11.
Pier 39 is a popular tourist attraction in San Francisco’s famous Fisherman’s Wharf. Jameson told FBI informants that he knew that it was a good location for the attack, as he had been there before and knew it would be crowded. He told one of the informants that he wanted to use explosives to “funnel” people into an area where he could more easily inflict casualties. Jameson told an informant that he believed he was directly connected to Abu Bakr al Baghdadi that he did not need an escape plan, as he was prepared to die in the attack.
What agents recovered at suspect's home – letter, last will & testament, firearms and rounds pic.twitter.com/NbmcUgHDfW
— Melanie Woodrow (@MelanieWoodrow) December 22, 2017
“We have penetrated and infiltrated your disgusting country. These acts will continue until the Lions of Islam overtake you” – Excerpt from a letter found in Jameson’s residence
Throughout his contacts with FBI informants, Jameson repeatedly professed his desire to do whatever was asked of him, to include traveling to Syria or conducting a suicide attack. However, on December 18th the undercover operation was put in jeopardy when an FBI employee accidentally called Jameson’s cell phone from an FBI office number in Washington, D.C. When Jameson answered speaking Arabic, the employee immediately hung up. Jameson later called the number, which went to the employee’s official voicemail box.
Later that evening, Jameson suddenly became non-committal, saying “I don’t think I can do this after all. I have reconsidered.” However, he still maintained hope that he would be able to carry out an attack in the future, telling the informant “Inshallah, one day I can.” ‘Inshallah’ is Arabic for “God willing.”
“We will not allow the thwarted attempts of one dangerous individual to disrupt our way of life. We will remain vigilant and continue to protect our city from any threat.” -acting Mayor of San Francisco, London Breed
Two days later, the FBI executed a search warrant on Jameson’s residence. According to FBI documents, during the search Jameson repeatedly expressed his support of ISIS and said he would “be happy” if an attack were indeed carried out. This is in line with Jameson’s social media activities, which included sharing “radical jihadi beliefs” and ‘following’ and ‘liking’ content that praised ISIS and terrorism, as well as Antifa and other leftist organizations.
Jameson’s father, Gordon Jameson, said he was shocked to learn about the circumstances of his son’s arrest. “I am kind of lost right now. That is not how he was raised.”
VIDEO: Father of foiled terror attack suspect: 'Unreal, I really couldn't believe it'
Full interview –> https://t.co/sGP5s1E8bl pic.twitter.com/jFr9UMpqau— ABC30 Fresno (@ABC30) December 22, 2017
According to Jameson’s attorneys, their client will be pleading not guilty to any and all charges brought against him. He is currently being held in custody pending a December 28th hearing. If convicted of the current charge, Jameson faces 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
In a statement, the San Francisco Police Departments said the following:
“The San Francisco Police Department was notified by the FBI about this investigation several days ago and we remain in contact with our local, state and federal partners as this case proceeds. The safety of all San Francisco residents and visitors is our top priority. As we have stated in previous weeks, during the holiday season the public will notice an increased law enforcement presence in shopping corridors and at our City’s attractions. As always, ‘if you see something, say something.’ We encourage the community to contact officers or 9-1-1 to report suspicious activity.”
“The threat from radical Islamic terrorism is real — and it is serious.” -Attorney General Jeff Sessions
Attorney General Jeff Sessions also commented on the terror plot:
“The threat from radical Islamic terrorism is real — and it is serious. The Department of Justice works resolutely every day to prevent terrorist attacks. Today, our incredible law enforcement officers have once again helped thwart an alleged plot to kill Americans. I want to thank the FBI agents and federal prosecutors and everyone else who helped make this possible.”
In June of this year, Air Force veteran Tairod Pugh was sentenced to 35 years in prison for attempting to give material support to a terrorist organization and for obstruction of justice. In Pugh’s case, he had attempted to travel to Syria to join ISIS. After his sentencing, the New York FBI office issued a statement saying “Today’s sentencing should send a strong message to those who seek to support terrorist groups—they will face serious consequences for their actions.”
Apparently, Jameson didn’t get the message.