Colorado Connection To Texas Terror Plot
DENVER (CBS4/AP) - Prosecutors say a Saudi Arabian man, who'd been studying chemical engineering in Texas, wrote of his plans for terror attacks in his journal.
Court documents state Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari, 20, wrote that he had learned English and how to build explosives -- during what he called "continuous planning to target the infidel Americans." And now, he wrote, "it is time for jihad."
Prosecutors said Aldawsari bought explosive chemicals over the Internet, as part of a plan to hide bomb materials inside dolls and baby carriages.
The possible targets included dams, nuclear plants and the home of former President George W. Bush. Also on the list were 12 reservoirs in Colorado, including Cherry Creek Reservoir and Aurora Reservoir.
"I think that the state and local governments around those dams are taking all the precautions that are prudent to protect the dams," said Colorado Dept. of Public Safety spokesman Jim Davis. Davis is also the former special agent in charge of the Denver FBI office.
CBS4 spoke to Denver Water about the possible threat in Colorado.
"The information we have doesn't indicate any threats to any of Denver Water's facilities. We always monitor our facilities and have open lines of communication with state and federal authorities on these matters," said Denver Water spokeswoman Stacey Chesney.
Aldawsari was arrested on Wednesday. He's expected to appear Friday in federal court.
He was legally in the U.S. on a student visa. Officials say he entered the U.S. in 2008 from Saudi Arabia to study at Texas Tech, and transferred this year to South Plains College.
The Dam Road on Lake Dillon was shut down in June 2008 following concerns that open access could make it easier for an act of terrorism to be performed.
The White House said President Barack Obama was notified about the case before Aldawsari was arrested.
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