A second Topeka man was charged Friday in connection with an alleged plot to detonate a vehicle bomb at the Fort Riley military base near Manhattan, Kan., U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.
Alexander E. Blair, 28, Topeka, Kan., is charged with one count of failing to report a felony. A criminal complaint filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Topeka alleges Blair knew of a plot by co-defendant John T. Booker, Jr., 20, Topeka, Kan., to detonate a bomb at Fort Riley.
The complaint alleges that in March 2014, the FBI began an investigation into Booker, who also called himself Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, concerning statements he made online indicating he wanted to wage jihad and to die in the process. Booker was arrested April 10, 2015, and charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and two other counts.
During the investigation of Booker, law enforcement officers learned that Blair shared some of Booker’s extremist views and loaned Booker money for the purpose of renting a storage unit that Booker used to store components for a bomb.
The complaint alleges Blair knew of Booker’s intent to detonate a bomb at Fort Riley and to “kill as many soldiers as possible.” Despite being convinced that Booker was serious about carrying out the plot, the complaint alleges, Blair chose not to report what he knew to the authorities.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The charges merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Sporting Kansas City will be the host for Real Salt Lake in a rematch of the 2013 MLS Cup final on Saturday at Sporting Park.
The Western Conference foes will kick off at 7:30 p.m. with local coverage available on KMCI-TV 38 the Spot beginning at 7 p.m. Additional coverage will be available on SKCTV across the Midwest and via radio in English (Sports Radio 810 WHB) and Spanish (La Grande 1340 AM).
A limited number of tickets may still be available, including standing room only tickets for $20 each, and may be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or at the Sporting Park box offices on gameday.
The home side is fresh off a come-from-behind victory against the Philadelphia Union last weekend, scoring two stoppage-time goals to secure three points in the club’s 600th match all-time.
Krisztian Nemeth’s 94th-minute game-winner marked the 1,000th goal scored in Kansas City history across all competitions. The victory is the second for Sporting KC in as many matches to move the club into third place in the standings alongside Saturday’s opponent.
Real Salt Lake is undefeated in four games to start the 2015 season and also boast back-to-back victories, most recently securing a 1-0 result against San Jose in the Earthquakes first loss at Avaya Stadium.
However, the visitors are winless in four trips to Sporting Park (0-2-2) with just one goal in 390 minutes of play and Real Salt Lake has just one victory in 10 trips to Kansas City all-time.
Sporting KC and Real Salt Lake are two of five teams to make the MLS Cup Playoffs each of the last four seasons, largely due to conceding the fewest goals of all MLS teams over that span. Moreover, the match-up features the only two teams in the league to have logged at least 10 shutouts in each of the last three seasons.
Real Salt Lake’s veteran duo of Kyle Beckerman (357) and Nick Rimando (373) lead all active MLS players in games played, and were U.S. Men’s National Team teammates with Sporting Kansas City’s Matt Besler and Graham Zusi at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Zusi is listed as questionable on the injury report for Saturday’s contest after suffering a left hamstring strain in Sporting KC’s 1-0 win at Yankee Stadium last month.
Sprint Plaza activities will begin at 5:30 p.m. highlighted by a meet-and-greet with U.S. Women’s National Team players Becky Sauerbrunn and Heather O’Reilly ahead of the FC Kansas City season opener at Sporting Park on Sunday.
Additionally, the first 10,000 fans to enter the stadium on Saturday will receive a pair of Sporting KC spirit sleeves.
Fans are encouraged to donate new or gently used soccer equipment on Saturday to contribute to Sporting KC’s Recycle Your Game initiative. The donations will then be redistributed to youth in need throughout the Kansas City area. Collection bins will be located at stadium entrances and all donors will receive a coupon for 10 percent off Sporting Style purchases. – Story from Sporting KC
The West of Marrakesh Dancers performed during today’s Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival at Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave. The free event continues through 5 p.m. today. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
A large crowd attended today’s 10th annual Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival at Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave.
The free festival continues through 5 p.m. today. It includes entertainment, ethnic food and displays that celebrate different cultures.
Honored at today’s event were Kamiasha Tyner and Janith English, who received the Legends of Diversity Award.
More free music, dancing and entertainment are planned through 5 p.m. today. Danny Hinds and Ayotunde – Barbados and African Drumming and Dance performed during today’s Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival at Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave. The free event continues through 5 p.m. today. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) Hrvatski Obicaj Croatian Orchestra performed during today’s Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival at Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave. The free event continues through 5 p.m. today. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) A large crowd turned out for today’s Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival at the Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) A large crowd turned out for the 10th annual Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival today at Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) Danny Hinds and Ayotunde – Barbados and African Drumming and Dance performed during today’s Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival at Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave. The free event continues through 5 p.m. today. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) The West of Marrakesh Dancers performed during today’s Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival at Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave. The free event continues through 5 p.m. today. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) A good crowd attended today’s 10th annual Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival at Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave. The event continues until 5 p.m. today. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) More than 50 booths had cultural information, institutional or business information at today’s Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival at Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave. The event continues until 5 p.m. Saturday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) Hrvatski Obicaj Croatian Orchestra performed during today’s Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival at Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave. The free event continues through 5 p.m. today. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) Hrvatski Obicaj Croatian Orchestra performed during today’s Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival at Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave. The free event continues through 5 p.m. today. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) Fire apparatus from the Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department was on display outside the Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse today as part of the 10th annual Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) Ugenius Kloue, left, and Lisa Amayo of Kansas City, Kan., staffed a booth about Mexico, including some silk screen pictures from Mexico, at today’s Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival at Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) One of the food booths at the Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival today was staffed by the Renewed Hope Christian Center, 1516 Garfield Ave., Kansas City, Kan. At the food booth were, left to right, Bishop Cortez Liggins, Pastor Tammy Liggins and Chrystal Tucker. The Ethnic Festival is at Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave., through 5 p.m. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) Maria Moreno, left, staffed a food booth today at the Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival at Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave. The food booth was sponsored by the Good News Church, Kansas City, Kan. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) A booth about the country of Colombia included this butterfly map. Colombia has the most diversity of butterflies in the world. The booth was at the Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival at Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) Paul Ceesay, originally from Gambia and now an area resident, staffed a booth at the Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival today at Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) Sarah Mikesic, a student at Bishop Ward High School, staffed a booth about Croatia at the Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival at Kansas City Kansas Community College, 7250 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The booth was sponsored by the Croatian Fraternal Union. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) Staffing a booth about Israel were, left to right, Erin Chambers, Deb O’Bannon and Sue-Ellen Flescher. The Israel Spirit Committee of the Jewish Community Center is represented on the Ethnic Enrichment Commission. The booth was at the Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival today at Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) At the Italy booth today at the Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival were (seated) Ryleah Alexander, and (standing) Judy Smith. The Ethnic Festival was at Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) A booth for the Wyandot Nation of Kansas was staffed by Jim Gilliford, left, second chief for the Wyandot Nation of Kansas, and Louisa Libby, right, of the Wyandot Nation of Kansas. Libby’s great-great-great grandfather was Hiram Northrup, a Wyandot who established the first bank in what is now Kansas City, Kan. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) A booth about Malaysia was at today’s Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival at Kansas City Kansas Community College fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave. (Staff photo) Brandon Dryer, Kansas City, Kan., filled out a quiz in the KCKCC’s nursing program map contest today at the Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival, KCKCC fieldhouse, 7250 State Ave. According to the contest information, KCKCC nursing students come from 24 different countries. Entrants matched the name of the country with a place on the map to win a prize. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) Sanctuary of Hope, 2601 Ridge Ave., Kansas City, Kan., was represented by Sharri Orndorff at today’s Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival at Kansas City Kansas Community College, 7250 State Ave. (Staff photo) Representing all the museums in Wyandotte County at the Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival today were Don Jolley, Grinter House; and Trish Schurkamp, Wyandotte County Museum. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert) Staffing a booth for the Wyandotte County Historical Society at today’s Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival were Loren Taylor, left, historian emeritus of the society and editor of the Historical Journal of Wyandotte County, and Edwardsville Mayor John McTaggart, president of the Wyandotte County Historical Society. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
