Federal Agents Arrest Terror Suspect in Washington, D.C. in Sting Operation

They say the man wanted to carry out an attack on the Capitol.

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By Danielle Nottingham, CBS News, Washington, D.C.

Story Created: Feb 17, 2012 at 12:40 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Feb 17, 2012 at 12:48 PM AKDT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The FBI arrested a terror suspect near the U.S. Capitol today after agents gave him a vest he believed was filled with explosives.

CBS News has learned the suspect is Amine el Khalifi, a 29-year-old Moroccan man who was living in Alexandria, Virginia on an expired visa. Authorities put him under surveillance about a year ago after the man expressed interest in launching a terror attack.

Undercover agents developed a relationship with el Khalifi over the last few months, learning that he wanted to be the first suicide bomber on U.S. soil.

The suspect met with the agents Friday morning and was given what he thought was a suicide vest. He was arrested a short time later as he set out on his mission.

In statement, Capitol police said "at no time was the public or congressional community in any danger.”

Congress was in session Friday and went about its routine business without any disruptions.
 

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truther said on Saturday, Feb 18 at 10:21 PM

James that is a moronic sounding comment. Should have got him sooner? They set him up! The FBI sets up All the patsies! They ARE the terrorists! You fool, wake up! The criminals behind the FBI will be the ones who blow up the next building.

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James said on Friday, Feb 17 at 3:21 PM

He was under the surveillance for a year? That's accident waiting to happen. He would have been arrested then. This is something that would have been taken care of long ago. Sometimes it is too late when one tries to work by the books. Stupid rules like this needs to be reviewed and be modified to take actions more quicker.

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Anonymous said on Friday, Feb 17 at 1:15 PM

they got the wrong guy...they need to INTO Congress and arrest all of em...that is financial-terrorism and we just sit and clap like stupid monkeys of America that we are...

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