In court papers filed today, prosecutors describe the alleged leader of the plot to bomb synagogues in the Bronx as a "hate-filled anti-Semite" who considers Osama bin Laden his "brother." The Post reports that James Cromitie told an informant he wanted to shoot President Bush, saying the president "is the anti-Christ and if Allah does not kill him then a brother will." Another of one the men involved in the plot already said they were disappointed the World Trade Center had already been hit.
Cromitie claims he was entrapped, saying he was offered up to $250,000 by a government informant to recruit others and identify targets. However, informant Shaheed Hussain claims he was working on a different investigation and "had no idea who Cromitie was" when Cromitie introduced himself in a mosque in 2008. Cromitie allegedly went on "lengthy rants," and when Hussain said he was a member of terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed, Cromitie reportedly quickly responded that he wanted to sign up and "do jihad." Prosecutors also say the $250,000 Cromitie mentioned was the cost of the terror plans, not a bribe to name targets.
Cromitie and three other men were busted last May for allegedly planting explosives outside a synagogue in Riverdale. The "bomb" was actually made of fake materials, but the men believed it was real. The trial is set to start on June 14.
