Wichita Man Charged In Plot To Explode Car Bomb At Mid-Continent Airport
A 58-year-old Wichita man has been charged in federal court with attempting to explode a car bomb at Wichita’s Mid Continent Airport. The defendant was arrested as part of an FBI undercover investigation, and the device used by the defendant was, in fact, inert and at no time posed a danger to the public.
Terry Lee Loewen, is charged in a criminal complaint filed today in U.S. District Court in Wichita with one count of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, one count of attempting to damage property by means of an explosive and one count of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
“There was no breach of Mid-Continent’s Airport’s security,” said U.S. Attorney Grissom. “At no time was the safety of travelers or members of the public placed in jeopardy.”
Loewen, who works as an avionics technician, is alleged to have spent months developing a plan that involved using his access card to airport grounds to drive a van loaded with explosives to the terminal. He planned to pull the trigger on the explosives himself and die in the explosion.
Agents arrested Loewen about 5:40 a-m, Friday after he attempted to enter the airport tarmac and deliver a vehicle loaded with what he believed were high explosives. Members of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) took him into custody without incident.
Loewen has been under investigation by the Wichita Joint Terrorism Task Force since early summer 2013. It is alleged that, prior to his attempted attack, he made statements that he was resolved to commit an act of violent jihad against the United States. Over a period of months, he took a series of actions to advance the plot. According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Loewen:
Studied the layout of the airport and took photographs of access points.
Researched flight schedules.
Assisted in acquiring components for the car bomb.
Talked about his commitment to trigger the device and martyr himself.
On Friday, Loewen went to Mid-Continent Airport to detonate the car bomb. He was taken into custody when he attempted to open a security access gate. FBI Evidence Response Teams are executing search warrants related to the case. Although the investigation is ongoing, no additional arrests are anticipated.
FBI SAC Michael Kaste stated “Lone wolves – home grown violent extremists remain a very serious threat to our nation’s security. Today’s arrest emphasizes the continual need for the public to remain vigilant as law enforcement relies on the public’s assistance.”
If convicted, Loewen would face a maximum penalty of life in federal prison
The investigation was conducted by the Wichita FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes members from the FBI, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Highway Patrol. Assisting with the investigation were the FBI Kansas City Division, the Transportation Security Administration, the Wichita Airport Authority, the Wichita Police Department.
The case is being handled by prosecutors from the United States Attorney’s Office and the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
Governor Brownback issued the following statement:
“I would like to thank the federal, state, and local agencies that collaborated in this investigation of a potential terrorist threat here in Kansas.
“In our ongoing war on terrorism, the good guys won one today. A joint operation with federal, state, and local components captured a would-be terrorist before he could cause harm. This is the way your government should work – united and effective.
“Congratulations to all involved in this successful operation.
“The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, Kansas Highway Patrol, Sedgwick County Sheriff, Wichita Airport Police, Wichita Police Department and other law enforcement agencies collaborated in an intensive six-month investigation that resulted in the arrest of Terry Loewen this morning.
“It is important to remember that our dedicated law enforcement personnel are committed to our safety every day. Even here in the Heartland we must remain vigilant and remember the motto ‘if you see something, say something’.”