A Florida man originally from the former Yugoslavia was arrested and charged with plotting to bomb targets in Tampa, Fla., according to a Jan. 9 announcement from the Department of Justice (DOJ). Naturalized American citizen Sami Osmakac was arrested on the night of Jan. 7. According to the criminal complaint, he said he wanted to “get in somewhere where there’s a lot of people” and that law enforcement who responded could “take me in five million pieces.”
Lisa Monaco, assistant attorney general for National Security, said in a statement, “The facts as alleged in this case underscore the need for continued vigilance both at home and abroad. Thanks to a coordinated law enforcement effort, this alleged plot was thwarted before anyone was harmed.”
Osmakac was charged in the Middle District of Florida with one count of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction (explosives). His first appearance in court was Jan. 9. If he is found guilty he could be sentenced to life in prison.
The 25-year-old immigrant from Kosovo in the former Yugoslavia had been under surveillance by law enforcement officers for months, according to a statement for the DOJ. The criminal complaint against him said that a confidential human source (CHS) told the FBI in September 2011 that Osmakac had asked for al-Qaeda flags.
In November, he discussed with the CHS potential targets he would like to attack in Tampa, and asked for help getting weapons and explosives. According to the criminal complaint, the source introduced him to an undercover FBI agent, whom Osmakac gave $500 as a down payment on explosives and weapons he meant to use to carry out multiple attacks, culminating in a suicide attack. He was arrested after he received the explosive and weapons, which had been made unusable by the FBI.
“The Tampa FBI Division has always considered its relationships with regional community groups throughout Central and Southwest Florida extremely important. In this case, we are grateful for the Muslim community’s continued support. This incident clearly demonstrated how citizens can help law enforcement keep our neighborhoods and our nation safe,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Steven Ibison in the DOJ announcement.
According to the DOJ, Osmakac’s targets were nightclubs in the Ybor City area of Tampa, the Operations Center of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Ybor City, and a business in South Tampa.
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