AIRPORT ARREST

Submitted by ub on

Kansas authorities have arrested 58 year old Terry Loewen, an aviation technician from Wichita. He was allegedly plotting to blow up the Mid-Continent Airport in Wichita with a carload of explosives. He intended to die a martyr in the bombing.

Authorities said Loewen was believed to have been motivated, at least partly, by religious beliefs. Loewen was taken into custody early Friday, officials said, as he attempted to make his way onto airport property with what he thought were active explosives.

He planned the attack for months and his actions had been under surveillance, they said. Officials said Loewen had made statements prior to the attempted attack that he was resolved to commit an act of violent "jihad" on behalf of al Qaeda against the United States.

Loewen was charged in federal court 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.