JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 11 (UPI) — A 20-year-old man faces up to 20 years in prison after he allegedly plotted an attack on a Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks memorial event in Missouri.
Joshua Ryne Goldberg allegedly provided bomb-making information to an FBI informant, including details about making a pressure-cooker bomb and filling it with nails, metal and other items dipped in rat poisoning. He then told the informant to place the bomb at an upcoming memorial in Kansas City, Mo., commemorating the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, investigators said.
According to court documents, federal investigators initially linked Goldberg to a Twitter account posting support of the Islamic State-inspired attack on the Prophet Muhammad drawing contest in Garland, Texas, earlier this year that left two assailants dead.
Allegedly using several monikers including “Auswitness,” Goldberg boasted online about encouraging the Texas attack.
“I have a vast network of mujahideen around the world, and l will continue to inspire and coordinate jihad attacks around the world,” a June 9 post stated.
In the coming weeks, Goldberg began chatting with the FBI informant, giving him details about planning and carrying out a bombing on Sept. 13 during the Kansas City Stair Climb, a memorial event.
Investigators said Goldberg initially denied any involvement in the plot, but later said he was the person known on Twitter by the monikers “Auswitness”, “AusSecret” and “Australi Witness.” He “stated that he sent out a message on Twitter calling for an attack on the Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest in Garland, Texas,” court documents said.
“Joshua Goldberg admitted that he provided that individual with information on how to manufacture bombs,” the court documents stated. “Joshua Goldberg further admitted that he believed the information would create a genuine bomb.”
He was charged with distributing information relating to explosives, destructive devices and weapons of mass destruction.
