U.S. Soldier Jarrett William Smith Discussed Bombing Major News Network With Undercover FBI Agent
His bomb-making instructions were deemed as unviable.
Facebook The FBI has arrested a US Army soldier after the discovery that he shared instructions on how to make bombs through social media. Jarrett Smith, 24, allegedly conspired a plan in bomb-making to target a major news network. He wanted to fight for a far-right group in Ukraine, prosecutors said. “The infantry soldier, who was based at Fort Riley, Kansas, was arrested on Saturday and charged with distributing information relating to weapons of mass destruction,” according to the BBC.
Smith’s involvement in bomb-making was discovered by an undercover FBI agent, under the alias Mr. Lang, who contacted Smith via Facebook, requesting assistance for a bomb attack. The agent was able to unveil telling information revealing Smith’s motives. He allegedly gave information on how to create bombs and trigger them through a mobile device. "Oh yeah, I got knowledge of IEDs [improvised explosive devices] for days," Smith said on December 8, 2018, according to court documents. "We can make cell phone IEDs in the style of the Afghans. I can teach you that."
Smith faces two counts of distributing explosives information and is scheduled to appear in federal court for a hearing. Who Is Jarrett William Smith?
1. The major news network Smith planned to attack is allegedly CNN.
A federal grand jury formally indicted Army soldier Jarrett William Smith, who allegedly discussed bomb-making techniques and suggested targeting a news network that sources say is CNN, according to court documents filed Wednesday.
2. Smith's indictment comes amid his other possible domestic terror plots.
According to court documents, “Smith also mentioned presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke, a former Texas congressman, in a chat with an undercover FBI agent on September 20,” according to CNN.
“Smith is also accused of communicating a plan to attack a home in Michigan, and threatening to set fire to the home of someone identified by the initials ‘D.H.’”
3. Smith’s bomb-making was deemed as an unviable device according to an FBI bomb technician.
According to CNN, “...an FBI bomb technician consulted by the investigating agent, Smith's instructions on how to make a vehicle bomb would not have resulted in a viable explosive device.”
4. He bragged on Facebook about his ability to build explosives.
According to CNN, before Smith became a US Army soldier in 2017, he bragged to members in Facebook chat about being able to build explosives "in the style of the Afghans," the court filings said.
5. Smith began talking to the undercover FBI agent about a month ago.
According to CNN, “about a month ago, Smith started speaking to the FBI's confidential source and an undercover federal agent. He discussed in an online chat group plotting an attack in the US and said he was looking for other "radicals." Smith also suggested targeting the leftist group Antifa, cell towers and a local news station, authorities allege. Two days later, authorities say, Smith suggested the bomb plot against the major news network.”
6. Smith could Smith face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
According to Lawyers.com, “Violation of the federal law prohibiting distribution of information regarding how to make or use explosives is punishable by a maximum fine of $250,000 ($500,000 if the offender is an organization) and/or imprisonment for up to 20 years.”
Elizabeth Ward is a writing student finishing her bachelor’s at the University of Louisville. She covers news, entertainment, relationships and everything in between.