Monday, April 26, 2010

Alleged Bomb Maker Arrested in Murder-for-Hire Plot

TAMPA, FL—On Friday, April 23, 2010, the Tampa FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), which consists of numerous representatives from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, arrested JOHN NICHOLAS COORS, age 20, without incident. COORS was arrested in Tampa, Florida, after meeting with an undercover law enforcement asset (UCA) and attempting to detonate an improvised explosive device (IED). COORS resides at 702 East 51st Street, apartment 916A, Bradenton, Florida.

According to the federal complaint, the JTTF initially learned about COORS during November 2009. The JTTF received information that COORS was trained in “special forces” type military tactics, considered himself a mercenary, was proficient in building explosive devices, and had made pipe bombs in the past. He was allegedly in possession of precursor chemicals that could be used to make explosives as well as bomb making books, including the “Anarchist Cookbook”, which where stored in Bradenton, Florida. Resultantly, OPERATION ROCKY BULLET was launched.

During the investigation, contacts between COORS and the UCA involved plans to kill someone by blowing them up in their vehicle. COORS and the UCA discussed building an IED, COORS furnished instructions on how to build such a device, and how to plant the device in a vehicle to carry out the assassination.

COORS agreed to construct and provide an improvised explosive device capable of killing a person sitting in a car. COORS told the UCA that he would build the bomb in such a way that it could be remotely detonated and that he would install the device himself to ensure it was done properly. COORS agreed to build and detonate the bomb for $8000.00.

COORS constructed the bomb triggering device himself and used inert explosives which were provided by the UCA to ensure the public’s safety.

The related charge in this arrest involved the use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. This investigation is ongoing.

Criminal prosecution of this matter will be addressed by the United States Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida.

The charges in the federal complaint are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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