A Florida man was arrested in connection with a plot to place a bomb at an upcoming 9/11 memorial event in Kansas City, according to a news release from United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley in Florida.
Joshua Ryne Goldberg, 20, of Orange Park, Fla., was arrested for distributing information relating to explosives, destructive devices and weapons of mass destruction.
According to the criminal complaint, Goldberg was in contact with an individual law enforcement knew to be a confidential human source. Between July 2015 and September 2015, Goldberg distributed information to the source on how to manufacture a bomb, according to the news release.
According to the criminal complaint, Goldberg and the source communicated online. In August, Goldberg asked the source if he had bombs ready. The source told Goldberg he didn't know how to make them. Goldberg responded, "I can send you guides on how to make bombs if you need help making them."
Goldberg admitted to authorities he instructed the source to make a pressure cooker bomb and fill it with nails, metal and other items dipped in rat poison, according to the criminal complaint. He also sent the source links containing instructions on making bombs.
The source told Goldberg he was in the Midwest and close to Kansas City. Goldberg told the source, "I found the perfect place," and directed the source to the website for the Kansas City Stair Climb event, which honors New York City's first responders who were killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Goldberg told the source to place the bomb near the crowd at the 9/11 memorial event, which was scheduled to take place September 13.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
