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CNN Live Saturday
New Details Emerge About Terrorist Suspects in Oregon
Aired October 05, 2002 - 18:14 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: On the West Coast, more questions today about an alleged al Qaeda terrorist cell with links in Oregon and Michigan. Four suspects are in custody while authorities hunt for two others overseas. CNN's James Hattori looks at the group accused of plotting violence on U.S. soil.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): New details are emerging about the suspects arrested here in Portland and their alleged terrorist cell.
Patrice Ford, who pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges in federal court Friday, reported served as an intern in the mayor's office here for a time, was a student of Chinese language and is the son of a former Black Panther.
Jeffrey Battle reportedly worked as a private security guard and joined the Army Reserve in 1999, prior to 9/11 attacks, and was discharged when he failed to show up for advanced training.
October Lewis was married to Battle for five months. She is accused of wiring money to Battle as he attempted to travel to Afghanistan. Lewis and Battle's arraignments were put off until Monday.
The arrests occurred Friday morning at two Portland residences. A neighbor said he became suspicious after hearing some disturbing comments from a son of one of the suspects.
MATT HAWKEY, NEIGHBOR: And was proceeding to tell our kids that 9/11 was a good thing and that these people deserved to die, listen to me, listen to me. And their parents came out and grab them and took them inside. So, like I was telling them, you know, a five year old doesn't get that notion. He gets that straight from above -- parents, you know.
HATTORI: Meantime, the sheriff of Skamania County, where some of the suspects were spotted firing weapons in a gravel pit, just a couple of weeks just after the 9/11 attacks, describes what the deputy on the scene saw.
SHERIFF CHUCK BRYAN, SKAMANIA CO., OREGON: They were dressed in Middle Eastern type attire. They had weapons. They were from the Portland Metropolitan area. So, that was a bit unusual and a bit suspicious for something in our community. HATTORI: The sheriff says that initial contact with the suspects was prompted by a citizen who hear gunfire. The first small hint of what the government now describes a large terrorist conspiracy.
James Hattori, CNN, Portland, Oregon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired October 5, 2002 - 18:14 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: On the West Coast, more questions today about an alleged al Qaeda terrorist cell with links in Oregon and Michigan. Four suspects are in custody while authorities hunt for two others overseas. CNN's James Hattori looks at the group accused of plotting violence on U.S. soil.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): New details are emerging about the suspects arrested here in Portland and their alleged terrorist cell.
Patrice Ford, who pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges in federal court Friday, reported served as an intern in the mayor's office here for a time, was a student of Chinese language and is the son of a former Black Panther.
Jeffrey Battle reportedly worked as a private security guard and joined the Army Reserve in 1999, prior to 9/11 attacks, and was discharged when he failed to show up for advanced training.
October Lewis was married to Battle for five months. She is accused of wiring money to Battle as he attempted to travel to Afghanistan. Lewis and Battle's arraignments were put off until Monday.
The arrests occurred Friday morning at two Portland residences. A neighbor said he became suspicious after hearing some disturbing comments from a son of one of the suspects.
MATT HAWKEY, NEIGHBOR: And was proceeding to tell our kids that 9/11 was a good thing and that these people deserved to die, listen to me, listen to me. And their parents came out and grab them and took them inside. So, like I was telling them, you know, a five year old doesn't get that notion. He gets that straight from above -- parents, you know.
HATTORI: Meantime, the sheriff of Skamania County, where some of the suspects were spotted firing weapons in a gravel pit, just a couple of weeks just after the 9/11 attacks, describes what the deputy on the scene saw.
SHERIFF CHUCK BRYAN, SKAMANIA CO., OREGON: They were dressed in Middle Eastern type attire. They had weapons. They were from the Portland Metropolitan area. So, that was a bit unusual and a bit suspicious for something in our community. HATTORI: The sheriff says that initial contact with the suspects was prompted by a citizen who hear gunfire. The first small hint of what the government now describes a large terrorist conspiracy.
James Hattori, CNN, Portland, Oregon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
