Airport And Transportation Terrorism Prosecutions
1. United States v. Richard Reid ("The Shoe Bomber") – 2001
Background: Richard Reid, a British national, attempted to blow up American Airlines Flight 63 en route from Paris to Miami by igniting explosives hidden in his shoes.
Charges:
Attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction
Attempted murder of U.S. nationals
Interference with a flight crew
Attempted destruction of an aircraft
Legal Significance:
Raised awareness about onboard threats and changed airport security (removal of shoes at screening checkpoints).
Outcome: Reid pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
2. United States v. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab ("The Underwear Bomber") – 2009
Background: Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian national, tried to detonate explosives sewn into his underwear aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas Day.
Charges:
Attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction
Attempted murder
Attempted destruction of an aircraft
Conspiracy with al-Qaeda
Legal Significance:
Led to enhanced body scanner technology at airports worldwide.
Outcome: He pleaded guilty and received multiple life sentences in federal prison.
3. United States v. Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev – Boston Marathon Bombing (2013)
Background: Although the bombing occurred at a public sporting event, the transportation angle emerged afterward. The Tsarnaev brothers attempted to flee via mass transit, causing massive lockdowns of transportation systems in Boston.
Charges (for Dzhokhar):
Use of a weapon of mass destruction
Bombing of a public place
Conspiracy
Carjacking and transportation-related crimes
Legal Significance:
Expanded the use of terrorism statutes to attacks affecting transportation indirectly.
Outcome: Dzhokhar was convicted on all counts and sentenced to death (after appeal and reinstatement).
4. United States v. Najibullah Zazi – NYC Subway Plot (2009)
Background: Zazi planned to detonate explosives in the New York City subway system, working with al-Qaeda operatives in Pakistan.
Charges:
Conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction
Conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country
Providing material support to terrorists
Legal Significance:
Major case involving domestic operatives planning coordinated subway bombings similar to London’s 2005 attacks.
Outcome: Zazi pleaded guilty and cooperated with authorities; he received a lenient sentence due to cooperation.
5. United States v. Ahmed Ferhani – 2011 NYC Transit Bomb Plot
Background: Ferhani and co-conspirators plotted to bomb synagogues and subway stations in New York City.
Charges (under state law):
Criminal possession of a weapon
Terrorism conspiracy
Attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction
Legal Significance:
Prosecuted under New York State terrorism laws — rare for terrorism cases to avoid federal court.
Outcome: Ferhani pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
6. United States v. Awais Younis – Metro Threats via Social Media (2010)
Background: Younis, based in Virginia, posted threats online to bomb Washington D.C. metro trains, using Facebook and YouTube.
Charges:
Interstate communication of threats
Threats against transportation systems
Legal Significance:
One of the early cases using digital threats targeting transportation as criminal terrorism.
Outcome: Younis was convicted and sentenced to time served, as no real weapons were involved.
Legal Themes Across Cases
| Legal Issue | Statutes Involved | Example Case |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft attacks | 18 U.S.C. § 32, § 2332a | Reid, Abdulmutallab |
| Subway/bus threats | 18 U.S.C. § 1992 | Zazi, Ferhani |
| Terror via internet | 18 U.S.C. § 875(c) | Younis |
| Mass destruction weapons | 18 U.S.C. § 2332a | Boston Bombing |
| Material support to terrorism | 18 U.S.C. § 2339A/B | Zazi, Tsarnaev |
Quick Recap
Reid and Abdulmutallab brought major reforms to airline security.
Zazi and Ferhani show how subway and transit systems are common targets.
Younis reflects how online threats to transportation are prosecuted.
Courts consistently treat any act or threat involving transportation as a serious national security issue, often invoking anti-terror statutes and long federal sentences.
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