N.Y. Terror Bomb Plot Has Philly Tie

PHILADELPHIA - Plans to attack a temple in New York City were drawn up right here in Philadelphia, a court document shows.

The four men accused of trying to launch this jihad were placed under arrest Wednesday night when the FBI and New York authorities foiled their plan.

The suspects have been identified as 55-year-old James Cromitie, a.k.a. 'Abdul Rahman,' a.k.a. 'Abdul Rehman,' 28-year-old David Williams, a.k.a 'Daoud,' a.k.a 'DL,' 32-year-old Onta Williams a.k.a. 'Hamza' and 27-year-old Laguerre Payen a.k.a 'Almondo,' a.k.a 'Amin.'

Fox 29's Dave Schratwieser reported the documents say Cromitie, the defendant, traveled with the CW (a cooperating witness) to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to attend a meeting of the Muslim Alliance of North America."

Link: Court Documents (Warning: Graphic Language)

The court documents also said, "During this November 28, 2008 trip to Philadelphia, Cromitie discussed with the CW which targets Cromitie thought were the best to attack in New York."

Specifically, Cromitie stated, "The best target [the World Trade Center] was hit already."

Later in that same conversation, in reference to a terrorist attack on a synagogue, Cromitie allegedly stated, "I hate those (expletives) Jewish (more expletives) … I would like to get [destroy] a synagogue."

According to the document, that conference where Cromitie and the FBI informant discussed those targets was at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City. The meeting was closely monitored by the FBI the whole time. Some of the conversations were caught on video and audio tape.

Cromitie and three other men arrested after planting what they thought were explosives near two synagogues and plotting to shoot down a military plane were bent on carrying out a holy war against America.

The suspects were arrested shortly after planting a 37-pound mock explosive device in the trunk of a car outside the Riverdale Temple and two mock bombs in the backseat of a car outside the Riverdale Jewish Center, another synagogue a few blocks away, authorities said.

Police blocked their escape with an 18-wheel truck, smashing their tinted SUV windows and apprehending the unarmed suspects.

Full Report: FBI Foils Plot to Bomb NYC Temple

So far, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office are not commenting on the New York case or the Philadelphia connection.

New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly says he believes the men knew each other through prison. They have long rap sheets.

James Cromitie, David Williams, Onta Williams and Laguerre Payen were calm as they appeared in a suburban New York federal court Thursday with their hands shackled, to answer charges of conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction within the United States and conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles.

They did not enter pleas and were held without bail; they face life in prison if convicted.