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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

American Accused in Terror Plot; ISIS Advance in Ramadi Contained; Al Qaeda Seizes Yemen Airport; Jameis Winston Accuser Files Civil Suit. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired April 17, 2015 - 05:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[05:00:09] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: EARLY START continues right now.

(MUSIC)

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: An American arrested. Returning to the U.S. accused of training with terrorists in Syria and coming home to launch a terror attack here.

Iraq asking helping to fight ISIS as terrorists try to take over a new city.

And al Qaeda making alarming new advances in Yemen. Team coverage breaking down the threat at home and around the world.

Good morning. Welcome to EARLY START. A very busy morning, folks. I'm Christine Romans.

BERMAN: I'm John Berman. It is Friday, April 17th. It is 5:00 a.m. in the east.

Developing this morning, a naturalized American citizen back from terrorism training in Syria with plans to attack on U.S. soil. This man now in custody. He is charged with providing material support to terrorists and lying to the FBI.

CNN justice reporter Evan Perez is in Washington with the very latest -- Evan.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

EVAN PEREZ, CNN JUSTICE REPORTER: John and Christine, Abdirahman Mohamud is alleged the terrorist threat that U.S. counterterrorism officials have warned us about for months. An American who traveled overseas to fight with an al Qaeda group and retired to the U.S. to plot an attack at home.

A federal indictment charges the 23-year-old resident of Columbus, Ohio, with attempting to provide material support to the Nusra Front, a terrorist group.

The FBI says Mohamud became a U.S. citizen last year. Two months later, in April 2014, he flew on a one way ticket to Greece with plans to make his way to Turkey and then to Syria.

Justice Department prosecutors say he got training in guns and explosives and combat. He came back last June, just days after his brother was killed fighting for Nusra in Syria.

The FBI says Mohamud told a friend that a cleric told him to come back home to carry out a domestic terrorist attack.

Now, Christine and John, according to the FBI, Mohamud talked about killing police and military execution-style.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Evan Perez, thank you for that.

Happening now, air strikes by the U.S.-led coalition helping contain an ISIS advance in the city of Ramadi several miles from Baghdad. With tens of thousands of people fleeing that battle, a senior official in Anbar province telling CNN these airstrikes appear to be cutting off ISIS re-supply routes. But he says troops defending Ramadi need more reinforcements and more weapons if they're going to hold on to that city.

Let's bring in Ivan Watson, our senior international correspondent. He's following these developments for us. Some 20 airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition, cutting off resupply.

What's happening right now?

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Christine, that city, only an hours drive west of Baghdad, the Iraqi government forces are barely hanging on to that city. That is according to a city official we are talking to there calling for urgent reinforcements and more air strikes to help protect Ramadi. He says the ISIS militants have held on to positions in the east of Ramadi and the exhausted government forces are succeeding in holding on to the center. They have reinforcements from less than 40 Humvees full of Iraqi security forces in the last 24 hours.

Now, the chairman of the joint chief of staff, Martin Dempsey, senior U.S. military commander. He told journalists that the bigger priority right now for the U.S.-led coalition aiding the Iraqi government is the sprawling oil refinery in Baiji, that's an hour's drive north where an area that ISIS claims to have captured territory in recent days. U.S. military is saying that only the Arguing that is much more of a strategic target for the U.S. to protect rather than the city of Ramadi. If it does in fact fall, it would be tragic. But General Dempsey saying it is not an end to the campaign against ISIS. Of course, the more than 100,000 refugees fleeing would argue otherwise.

ROMANS: All right. Ivan Watson for us -- thank you for that, Ivan.

BERMAN: . The air war by the Arab-led coalition by Houthi rebels is keeping both sides busy leaving al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula mostly unopposed. On Thursday, al Qaeda fighters overran an airport and an oil export terminal in Southeastern Yemen. In Washington, U.S. officials tell "The Los Angeles Times" that they are increasingly concerned about the Saudi air campaign which has reportedly caused hundreds of civilian casualties.

And now, the United Nations is worried about a humanitarian crisis and calling for a cease-fire from all sides fighting in Yemen.

[05:05:01] et's get the latest from senior international correspondent Nima Elbagir in Yemen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Al Qaeda are clearly moving into the security vacuum. They have now taken the third largest airport in Yemen. They have as you said, they've got an oil platform. They moved in to repel the Houthis advances in their stronghold. And they seem to be putting up their black flags in a number of areas where they don't have complete control of.

So, they seem to try to honeycomb that territory that has not been fought over fully between the Houthi and the loyalists to the deposed government of President Hadi in Yemen. The circumstance remains that the reality is people are focused so much on the fighting between north and south effectively, that's the view really from Aden, that has become a north/south divide in terms of the Houthis moving down. That they are forgetting of what is happening to the east and west.

When you move into the southwestern area, you get dangerously close to the natural gas platforms. That has not just local repercussions, but it has regional repercussions, beyond just the security implications.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: Thanks to Nima for that. Nuclear talks with Iran resume next week in Vienna. The two sides preparing to address several key unresolved issues, including firms lifting of sanctions and timing of lifting sanctions and whether inspectors will have unrestricted access to Iranian military sites. Iran's President Rouhani is optimistic a deal could be reached by the end of June, but getting one done will be difficult.

ROMANS: New concerns this morning about the government's ability to protect vital landmarks after a Florida postal worker flew the gyrocopter through protected air space undetected, unto the Capitol lawn. Homeland Security is looking into this security gap.

Meanwhile, 61-year-old Doug Hughes, he faces federal charges for violating the restricted air space and operating an unregistered aircraft. He has been released on home confinement. He says he pulled this he things is a stunt to call attention to the need for campaign finance reform.

BERMAN: Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle hammering out a bipartisan deal to grant the president fast track authority. Some Democrats are split over the potential for eliminating American jobs. Under the legislation, Congress gets an up or down vote. In return, cannot make changes. This is a concern for labor and environmental and interest groups. House Speaker John Boehner backs the deal, but the burden of success rests on the president's shoulders.

ROMANS: As U.S. senators head home for the weekend, Eric Holder is still attorney general and his potential or nominated successor Loretta Lynch, she is still waiting. Senate Republicans have tied to Lynch's nomination to a still unresolved human trafficking bill, delaying her confirmation for months and infuriating many Democrats.

Now, Senator Harry Reid says he will force a vote on Lynch if it does not happen soon. And a likely presidential contender, Jeb Bush, breaking with some fellow Republicans. He is calling for Lynch to be confirmed as soon as possible.

Let's get more from our senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, the White House is lashing out at Republicans over their tactics in stalling the nomination of President Obama's pick for attorney general, Loretta Lynch. Lynch's nomination has been held up for months, mired in a dispute over abortion language, in a bill that deals with human trafficking.

At the White House, Thursday, Press Secretary Josh Earnest accused the GOP of hypocrisy, noting that Republican lawmakers like Iowa Senator Charles Grassley had urged the president last fall to hold off on naming the nominee until the New Year as a gesture of bipartisanship. Now, the White House notes Grassley is blaming the president for Lynch's delay. Earnest called that shameful, saying Lynch deserves a vote. Here's what he had to say.

JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: So, she's waited now more than twice as long as the previous seven attorneys general nominations combined to get a vote on the floor of the United States Senate. That is an unconscionable and there is no excuse or explanation for it.

ACOSTA: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell indicated a break in the log jam could be coming next week when he believes bipartisan negotiators will come up with a compromise on the human trafficking bill and then get to a vote on Lynch. As for Grassley's office, they fired back at Josh Earnest, saying the White House is good at rewriting history -- John and Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: Jim Acosta, thanks so much.

WikiLeaks is pouring salt on Sony's electronic wounds, publishing a searchable database of every Sony e-mail and document that was stolen by hackers last year. That big data breach exposed a lot of embarrassing emails from top studio executives. WikiLeaks editor in chief Julian Assange defends the move, saying that the hack material is news worthy. He says it belongs in the public domain.

In a statement, Sony condemned this release, saying the cyberattack was a malicious criminal act.

ROMANS: Time for an early start on your money. Asian and Europe markets lower right now.

[05:10:00] U.S. stock futures are following their lead. Stocks fell a bit yesterday despite strong earnings from Goldman and Citigroup. The Dow down six points. Still down 1 percent shy of the record.

Price of oil still rising. U.S. crude oil, look at that, just above $56 a barrel right now. This is the highest it's been all year really. Prices have plummeted since last summer. Cheap oil is bad news for the industry. You see the industry react to the plunge. Schlumberger is laying off 100,000 people. It cut 9,000 people in January. Its workforce is now 15 percent less than last summer.

And Walmart, a lot of buzz this morning about Walmart, unexpectedly laying off 2,200 employees to fix plumbing issues. Walmart temporarily closing five stores temporarily for half a year. The workers will be paid two months of paid leave. The option to transfer to a different Walmart.

BERMAN: I never heard that, plumbing issues.

ROMANS: They are very big stores.

BERMAN: There are big plumbing issues? Five stores?

ROMANS: Five stores, that's right.

All right. New information following accusations of the volunteer deputy arrested for a deadly mistake on the job. Accusations he may have bought his way on to the force. New calls for an investigation and the new holes found in his training story, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: The ACLU and lawmakers in Oklahoma are calling into the investigation into the shooting death of Eric Harris. Seventy-three- year-old reserve deputy Robert Gates claims that he accidentally pulled his gun instead of his taser when he killed Harris earlier this morning. There are reports suggesting training records for Bates were falsified.

Thursday night, the sheriff's office responded to those claims, admitting that the training records are missing, that some training requirements may have been waived by sheriff. Now, another discrepancy, Bates claims he took active shooter territory from the Maricopa County sheriff's department in Arizona, but the Maricopa department spokeswoman denies that, and says that class are not offered to out of state officers.

[05:15:08] An attorney for the Harris family said there is no way the reserve deputy belonged on the street with a weapon to begin with.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) MAJ. SHANNON CLARK, TULSA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE: It may be semantics. The sheriff said they're lost. We have not located them. It doesn't mean they are never to be found again. It means that we are trying to figure out where the training records are. You have to remember, this goes back a long time.

DAN SMOLEN, HARRIS FAMILY ATTORNEY: We are talking about hours on the job training, field training, which is what specifically required. That he is there with an officer. He is working. He is learning how to do a takedown. He is learning how to carry a weapon. He's learning he difference between what a weapon feels like versus a taser.

And no, I don't believe any of that training has been done.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: The Tulsa County sheriff's office opened an investigation into the training records for Bates. An Oklahoma City lawmaker has zero confidence, and he has asked the city attorney general to step in.

ROMANS: Officials release the 911 call from the Seattle airport worker who fell asleep and found himself trapped in the baggage compartment of an airborne Alaska Airlines jet earlier this week. During the call, the 911 operator seems to have trouble understanding that the panicked caller is actually stuck in the belly of a plane.

Listen.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

OPERATOR: Are you at the airport?

CALLER: Not in the airport. I feel like (INAUDIBLE)

OPERATOR: Are you by yourself or with somebody?

CALLER: (INAUDIBLE)

(END AUDIO CLIP)

ROMANS: The pilots made an emergency landing after hearing banging and screaming from the cargo hold. The plane was in the air for 14 minutes. Now, the compartment was pressurized, temperature controlled. The worker was OK. The Alaska Airlines has banned him from working on any Alaska Airlines flights.

BERMAN: A six-year, $287 million campaign aimed at boosting moral among those in the U.S. Army appears to be failing. According to a report in "USA Today", more than half of the 770,000 Army soldiers pessimistic about their future in the military, nearly as many are unhappy in their jobs. Data compiled by the army also indicates that just 14 percent are eating healthy and getting sufficient rest.

ROMANS: A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states an increase in the electronic cigarettes by teenagers. The report says the number of high school students using e-cigarettes tripled from 2013 to 2014. It is now the most popular tobacco product among high schoolers and middle schoolers in the U.S.

The CDC says the percentage of teens who regularly smoke regular cigarettes dropped from nearly 16 percent back in 2011, to just over 9 percent last year.

All right. Millions from the Midwest to the South. Yes, you face the threat of severe weather today.

Meteorologist Derek Van Dam tracking those storms for us.

DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Great Friday morning, John and Christine.

Well, it's pretty clear on the satellite loop I'm going to be discussing today. Check out the swirling mass of clouds across the four corners into the Texas and Oklahoma panhandle. This is the area of low pressure that will send about 30 million people in the path of the potential of severe weather today. That means damaging winds, large hail and isolated tornadoes.

Greatest risk across San Antonio and into the greater Houston region. Also parts of Kansas expecting enhanced risk of severe weather. You see the low pressure system and cold front with the particular low. There's also a significant weather-maker across the Gulf Coast producing a bit of rainfall.

Look at the rainfall totals over the past five days, we're talking about eight to upwards of 10 inches from eastern Texas through Louisiana. We have flood watches across the region. Good news for New York City and the Big Apple. One day of rain. Look at the forecast for the weekend.

ROMANS: All right. Derek Van Dam, thanks, Derek.

BERMAN: All right. Top NFL prospect Jameis Winston dodged sexual charges last year, but now he faces a lawsuit from the woman who accused him.

So, what impact will that have on draft day? Coy Wire has latest in the bleacher report next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:22:54] BERMAN: Just two weeks before the NFL draft, Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston being sued by the woman who accused him of rape.

ROMANS: Coy Wire has more in this morning's bleacher report.

Hey, Coy.

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS: Good morning, Christine, John. Yes, Erica Kinsman, a former FSU student claims Winston sexually assaulted her in 2012. Her case came after multiple investigations ended with no criminal charges against Winston who's maintained his innocence. Now, Kinsman is asking for damages in excess of $15,000. She's like seeking much more than 15 grand, just that circuit courts in Florida will not hear a case if the matter doesn't exceed that $15,000.

Winston is projected by many to be the first overall pick in the draft. Oregon's Marcus Mariota is an enticing pick for the first quarterback taken. We will see if the lawsuit has any bearing on whether or not Winston will be the first quarterback drafted in a couple of weeks.

Now, Adrian Peterson is back in the NFL. He's been reinstated by the league effective today. Peterson missed most of last season due to either suspension or being on a commissioner's exempt list while fighting child abuse charges. He is now free to rejoin the Minnesota Vikings as long as he participates in a counseling program. Peterson's agent, though, says his client would prefer a fresh start with a new team in 2015. Peterson's camp hasn't released an official statement, but he did tweet out this pick after the news broke with the caption, "God's undeniable will."

All right. Yesterday, we talked about how 18-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps is getting back in the pool. When he did, he did what he does best. Tornado coming at you. First place in 100 meter butterfly in Mesa, Arizona. His first final since being suspended by USA swimming. Phelps announced on Wednesday he is officially attempting a comeback bid for the 2016 Rio Olympics. USA!

All right. Now, in hoops news, the NBA announced it will test for human growth hormones starting next season. Commissioner Adam Silver says he doesn't have any reason to believe HGH is common in the league, but the new tests which will take samples of blood will align the NBA with the other big pro leagues, the NFL and the MLB.

[05:25:07] Now, guys in other NBA news, the playoffs starts tomorrow. Christine, your Bulls will be in action. I'll check out the Warriors and Pelicans game because Steph Curry in the playoff is simply must- see TV.

John, I have to know if Celtics can get it done versus LeBron and the Cavs.

BERMAN: I would not want to play the Celtics. They played hard for 48 minutes and they keep putting guards in one after another. I mean, I think the Cavs are going to win, but I don't think it will be a sweep.

But I'm with you, Coy, what's going on in the West, there are some phenomenal teams out there. I'm taking a week off and watching basketball.

Coy Wire, thanks so much.

ROMANS: Thanks, Coy.

BERMAN: Twenty-five minutes after the hour.

An American arrested returning from Syria ready to launch terror attacks in the United States. We will have details, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: An American charged in a terror plot, accused of training in Syria.

ROMANS: ISIS making new advances in Iraq this morning. A new city on the brink of collapse.

BERMAN: Al Qaeda using Yemen civil war to its advantage. Making alarming advances in what was once a key U.S. ally inside those borders. Team coverage breaking down the terror threat here at home and around the world.

Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm John Berman.

ROMANS: I'm Christine Romans. It is 30 minutes past the hour this Friday morning.

Developing right now, a naturalized American citizen back from terrorism training in Syria, with plans to attack on U.S. soil. That CNN now in custody. He's charged with providing material support to terrorists and lying to the FBI.