Man Arrested on Clinic Bombing Suspicions (FBI Arrest somebody

[Noordam]

AP News

November 12, 2003
Man Arrested on Clinic Bombing Suspicions
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 11:43 a.m. ET

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- A man suspected of planning to bomb abortion clinics was arrested by the FBI after he jumped from a boat and had to be pulled from the ocean, authorities said.

Stephen John Jordi, 35, arrested Tuesday, was targeting unspecified clinics throughout the United States, said Beverly Esselbach, a spokeswoman for the FBI's Miami field office, adding that ``he was perilously close to carrying out his plans.''

Agents planned on arresting him and arranged a meeting aboard a boat, but Jordi recognized the plan and jumped into the ocean, Esselbach said. He was in the water for about 30 minutes before the U.S. Coast Guard pulled him out.

The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force had been investigating Jordi since August, Esselbach said.

Jordi was charged with intent to commit a crime of violence, a felony, and will probably face additional federal charges, authorities said. He was scheduled to appear in federal court Wednesday.

..more at article....

[sybylla]

1. Great, at least the FBI is on the ball if Asskkkrack isn't

n/t

[sleipnir]

2. I think they should deport him to Gitmo....

That'd be a kicker/warning shot for all the fundie-wackjobs, but a sad day for civil rights....

[Judi Lynn]

3. More on the story from the Miami Herald

Posted on Thu, Nov. 13, 2003

FBI STING | SCHEME TO BOMB CLINICS
Informant helps snare abortion-plot suspect
An FBI sting leads to the arrest of a man who espoused antiabortion views and allegedly discussed bomb plots.
BY LARRY LEBOWITZ
[e-mail]

Stephen John Jordi, a former Army Ranger who sports a flaming crucifix on one forearm, faced a federal magistrate Wednesday, accused of plotting to break the very commandments he had held so dear.

FBI agents say Jordi, 35, of Coconut Creek, planned to embark on a firebombing campaign targeting abortion clinics, doctors who terminate pregnancies, gays and some churches that refused to take a tough stance against abortion.

Jordi -- who credited Paul Hill, the recently executed killer of an abortion doctor and his bodyguard, as an inspiration -- remains jailed. He is charged with distributing explosives information, solicitation of arson and possessing an unregistered silencer.

Jordi's high-profile arrest Tuesday night off glitzy South Beach drew national attention. He jumped off a boat that he shared with a government informant who had convinced Jordi he was a brother-in-arms for the cause. (snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/7249996.htm

[Judi Lynn]

4. Background on the alleged would-be abortion clinic bomber

Posted on Thu, Nov. 13, 2003

Religion permeated the life of family man
Family and neighbors describe Stephen John Jordi as a deeply religious father of four who once was kicked out of a Bible school for violent behavior.
By SARA OLKON AND DANIEL de VISE
[e-mail]

There was no mistaking Stephen John Jordi's religious fervor. He has fire-and-brimstone tattoos on both forearms and gave his four children -- including a daughter born last weekend -- the names Trinity, Charity, Elijah and Noah.

But was Jordi a fanatical antiabortion activist hellbent on firebombing clinics? Those who know him remember him proselytizing, but not about abortion. However there were some hints of a violent nature simmering below the surface.

He got kicked out of the Pensacola Bible Institute for violent behavior, said brother-in-law Rodney Ward of Pensacola.

''Something about a gun and throwing a rock,'' he said.

And there was a string of misdemeanor arrests, including a charge of hitting his young son outside a religious bookstore in Hollywood.
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/7249999.htm