Man convicted in Key West bomb plot

Source: Associated Press

A federal jury has convicted a man of a plot to detonate a nail-filled backpack bomb on a Florida Keys beach that prosecutors said was inspired by the Islamic State extremist group.

Court records show the jury in Key West convicted Harlem Suarez, 25, on Tuesday of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and providing material support to a terrorist organization after a seven-day trial. Suarez faces a maximum of life in prison at sentencing set for April 18.

Suarez, whose family emigrated from Cuba, came to the FBI's attention through Facebook posts praising the Islamic State group and containing extremist rhetoric, according to an FBI affidavit.

"By intending to place an explosive device on a public beach, Harlem Suarez posed a grave threat to the residents and visitors of Key West," said Miami U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer in a news release. "Let this case serve as an example to others that the U.S. attorney's office and our law enforcement partners stand as a united front against all domestic threats."

Read more: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/fl-ap-keys-backpack-bomb-plot-conviction-20170201-story.html