Crime & Safety

Feds: California National Guard Reservist Plotted to Attack L.A. Subways

Nicholas Teausant was arrested at the U.S.-Canadian border.

Originally posted at 1:44 p.m. March 17, 2014. Updated with new details.

A college student who allegedly discussed attacking the Los Angeles subway system was arrested today on suspicion with attempting to provide material assistance to a foreign terrorist organization -- al-Qaida, authorities said.

Nicholas Michael Teausant, 20, of Acampo, near Stockton, was arrested in Blaine, Wash., near the U.S.-Canadian border, U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner said in a release.

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According to a federal complaint, Teausant told an informant working with the FBI that he and his friends discussed "hitting" Los Angeles subways on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day.

The informant allegedly received a text message from Teausant asking about buying fireworks "with the biggest boom," the complaint said.

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A later text from the defendant allegedly advised, "Don't go to L.A." and "if  you do don't use the subway," according to the complaint.

Authorities described Teausant as a student at San Joaquin Delta Community College in Stockton who also was about to be released from the National Guard for not meeting minimum qualifications to continue.

Prosecutors contend Teausant went to the Canadian border in hopes of traveling to Syria to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or al-Qaida, the complaint said.

Teausant was making plans to fight in Syria and told the informant that he wanted to "train fighters in Syria to shoot properly," prosecutors allege in the complaint. His plan involved first going to Canada via Greyhound to maintain a low profile, officials said.

If convicted, Teausant faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

--City News Service


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