Stadiums Threatened with Terror Attacks

[GBRulz]

Re: Stadiums Threatened with Terror Attacks

I got rubbed down for what seemed like an extra long time by some lady at the Detroit game. It was disturbing and exciting all at the same time. I feel unclean.

So, are you trying to tell us that you decided to go through the security line again?

[the_idle_threat]

It appears our threat maker is a Milwaukeeite. From JSO:

City resident questioned in NFL threats
Washington - The FBI was interviewing a Milwaukee resident today believed to be responsible for posting what officials think are phony threats on a Web site about radiological dirty bomb attacks on NFL stadiums this weekend.

The person, described only as a young adult, did not appear to have any ties to terrorist groups, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.

The threats, which were posted on the Internet site a week ago, were not seen as credible and were not backed up by intelligence indicating an attack might be imminent, according to the FBI and the Homeland Security Department.

Homeland Security on Wednesday alerted the NFL and authorities in New York, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Oakland and Cleveland, saying they were acting "out of an abundance of caution."

Alright, which one of you did it?

It was screen-name profiling!

[KYPack]

Alright, which one of you did it?

Lawyer Joe?

That's an idea!

[GrnBay007]

Grocery store clerk charged in stadium hoax

Associated Press



NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - A 20-year-old grocery store clerk who authorities say amused himself by posting prank Internet warnings of terrorist attacks against NFL stadiums was arrested Friday on federal charges that could bring five years behind bars.

Jake J. Brahm was accused of writing that radioactive "dirty bombs" would be detonated this weekend at seven football stadiums. He admitted posting the same threat about 40 times on various Web sites between September and Wednesday, authorities said.
The Wauwatosa man surrendered to federal authorities and appeared in court in Milwaukee later in the day.

"These types of hoaxes scare innocent people, cost business resources and waste valuable homeland security resources. We cannot tolerate this Internet version of yelling fire in a crowded theater in the post-9/11 era," said U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie in Newark, N.J., where Brahm was charged in a sealed complaint filed Thursday. One of the stadiums mentioned was Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Brahm was charged with making a terrorist threat over the Internet, which carries a maximum five-year prison sentence and $250,000 fine. When the potential sentence was read in court Friday afternoon, his mother, Valerie Brahm, with whom he lives, closed her eyes and put her hand over her mouth.

U.S. Magistrate Patricia Gorence released Jake Brahm without bail, citing his spotless record and strong community ties. She prohibited him from using the Internet or traveling outside Wisconsin and New Jersey, where his lawyer said he plans to make a court appearance.

When reporters asked him for comment after the hearing, Brahm smiled and laughed but said nothing.

Brahm's attorney, Patrick Knight, said after the hearing that his client was shocked by the way the threats were received. He described Brahm as quiet and gentle and said he had not seen anything to indicate Brahm meant any real harm.

"When you're a 20-year-old, and you roll a snowball, and the next thing you know, it's as big as a house rolling down a hill, it surprises you a bit," Knight said.

Richard Ruminski, the FBI agent in charge of the Milwaukee office, said Brahm thought posting the threats would be funny.

"As I understand it, Mr. Brahm had put out this threat thinking it was so preposterous that no one would take it seriously," Ruminski said. "Unfortunately, he was wrong."

The warnings briefly set off a scare this week, before federal authorities announced the warnings were a hoax.

Wauwatosa police Chief Barry Weber said Brahm had bragged to friends about his actions.

An FBI official in Washington, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the case is still under investigation, told The Associated Press that Brahm acknowledged doing it as part of a "writing duel" with a man from Texas to see who could post the scariest threat.

One of the threats, dated Oct. 12, appeared on the Web site "The Friend Society," which links to various online forums and off-color cartoons. Its author, identified in the message as "javness," said that trucks would deliver radiological bombs Sunday to stadiums in Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Cleveland, Oakland, Calif., and the New York City area, and that Osama bin Laden would claim responsibility.

On a separate blog under Brahm's name, the writer posted a photo of a football stadium next to a list of goals for 2006, which included committing a felony and "trying to leave the house at least twice a week."

Brahm worked at Outpost Natural Foods, a co-op near his house. "He was a normal guy. That's all we're going to say at this time," said Jeremy Layman, assistant manager.

Mallory McKenney, who graduated a year before Brahm from Wauwatosa East High School, said: "He was quiet but always seemed friendly whenever we were in a group of people together."

Erik Vasys, an FBI spokesman in San Antonio, said there would be no charges against the Texas man because he did not take part in the writing of the threats.


Anyone here a grocery store clerk?????

[GoPackGo]

so he was from milwaukee or new jersey?

[the_idle_threat]

Wauwatosa = suburb of Milwaukee.

[Fosco33]

Since I'm from GTown and have cousins that went to East, I bet I'm one person removed from knowing him (friend of a friend or family member of a friend of an acquaintance).

Crazy stuff - and like I said first - it was probably just some dumb kid.

What makes him even dumber was going to the cops and admitting it before getting a lawyer.

Should he get 5 years? Maybe - will he serve any time at all - probably not given the nature of it and his background.

[Fosco33]

Google this kid. I'm not gonna access some of these sites b/c they are a bit off color. Put it this way - he's an odd duck.

Ok, so the paper grabbed some of the highlights from his blog. They didn't report a lot of it (probably the 'off color' joke comments). Let's just say this kid would think the Garbage Can looks like Pee Wee's playhouse. From his statements, his Dad lost his business, his Mom is a jailbird, his twin sister and him have verbal fantasy exchanges (if you know what I mean), the kid loves himself (if you know what I mean), he fantasizes about aliens and terrorism constantly. He's one of those antisocial kids who knows he's not popular so he lives in his fantasy computer world but also is a musician (very, very creative writer - very disturbing topics - likes to get a rise out of people probably). If he's done half the things he's stated, he could probably be charged with lots of other crimes (rape, childporn (17 year olds), etc, etc.). His PC will be filled with it. In the blog, he posted about losing his harddrive and documented the weird illegal stuff that was on it - if he hasn't ditched it yet, the Feds will fix it for him.

I take back that he shouldn't go to jail. Jail would be the best thing for him. He needs a very serious reality check.

And, he does like Brett Favre and the Packers BTW.

[GrnBay007]

Generally the Feds hand out much harsher punishments than the State systems. I think it said he had no priors but even so, because of the magnitude and media attention of this I think he'll do some time at Club Fed. Might not be much, but some time and some supervised release afterward.

[Fosco33]

This kid is pretty much (in)famous now with this stunt - anyone else as interested in how messed up this kid and the story has become...

The gov't pays people (think tanks) to develop these scenarios. Maybe they need to hire this kid while he's in Club Fed (like they do with hackers).

[Badgerinmaine]

so he was from milwaukee or new jersey?

Charges were filed against him in federal court in NJ because that's the site (Giants Stadium) of one of the threats.

I just hope there aren't a bunch of idiot copycatters wasting the police's time after this.