Two upstate New York men, one who prosecutors say is a member of the Ku Klux Klan, are accused of conspiring to develop a portable X-ray machine capable of emitting lethal doses of radiation that they intended to use against Muslims and "enemies of Israel."
Eric Feight, 54, and Glendon Crawford, 49, were arrested in the FBI sting operation.
Prosecutors said the two men wanted the device to be used on unwitting victims who were anti-Israel, and that they had scouted potential targets. The men allegedly said they wanted to cause harm to people who would not realize they had been targeted until days after exposure.
Crawford allegedly sought financing from the Ku Klux Klan in North Carolina, and approached two Jewish organizations saying he wanted help targeting Muslims. The two Jewish groups both called the FBI and the investigation began.
“This case demonstrates how we must remain vigilant to detect and stop potential terrorists, who so often harbor hatred toward people they deem undesirable," said U.S. Attorney Richard Hartunian.
Investigators said the two men developed a device that could activate an X-ray machine from nearly a half-mile away. They were allegedly trying to obtain more equipment at the time of their arrest. Officials stress the device used in the sting was not real and never any danger to the public.
The head of the New York State Police referred to the case as one that revealed “unthinkable plotting and planning.”
Feight and Crawford are charged with material support for terrorism, which carries up to 15 years in prison. Crawford is from Galway, N.Y., and Feight is from Hudson.
Information on their attorneys was not immediately available.