TERRORISM FBI
Since retiring from the Bureau, JAMES J. WEDICK has been retained as a consultant and FBI expert in three [3] nationally publicized federal terrorism prosecutions held in Sacramento, California; Miami, Florida; and Tacoma, Washington. In each case, the Bureau initiated an undercover operation, conducted numerous hours of electronic surveillance, and/or used cooperating witnesses and/or defendants, and/or employed “paid” government informants—making “cash” payments totaling in excess of several hundred-thousand-dollars.
In the Sacramento case—following a 4-year FBI undercover operation—two Lodi, California men were charged with providing material support to a terrorist organization and making false statements. Following a 2-month terrorism trial involving separate juries, one defendant was found guilty with the second defendant released after the trial judge declared a “mistrial,” and the defendant later pled guilty to a customs violation and was credited with time served. Following the verdict, Mr. WEDICK secured juror affidavits suggesting racial bias and misconduct contributed to the one “guilty” verdict and the case was later appealed to the 9th Circuit in San Francisco. For an in-depth analysis of the case—including an interview with Mr. WEDICK—see the PBS FRONTLINE documentary titled, “ENEMY WITHIN” that aired October 2006, as well as a special NBC news report prepared by LISA MYERS titled, “REASONABLE DOUBT,” and a LOS ANGELES TIMES Sunday Magazine cover story titled, “MUZZLED” by MARK ARAX published in May 2006.
In the Miami case—named the LIBERTY CITY SEVEN by the media—the FBI alleged seven defendants wanted to form an allegiance with OSAMA BIN LADEN and “bomb” the Chicago Sears Tower. Because the FBI did not collect any physical evidence suggesting the defendants posed a serious threat, the government twice “failed” to secure a single “guilty” verdict, with the least culpable defendant “acquitted.” But rather admit the terrorism prosecution was a “mistake,” the U.S. Attorney again signaled the government would try the case again in 2009.
In the Tacoma, Washington investigation, a 32-year old single mother was prosecuted after she was identified by the FBI as being a lookout in a team of suspected EARTH LIBERATION FRONT [ELF] saboteurs who, in 2001, reportedly firebombed the University of Washington’s Center of Urban Horticulture. Similar to the Miami and Sacramento prosecutions, the Tacoma jury had trouble with the government’s evidence—deadlocking on the three most serious counts concerning planting a firebomb—but found the defendant guilty of arson noting she was later sentenced to 6-years incarceration.
For assistance defending a client charged with terrorism because of his background, Mr. WEDICK can be extremely helpful locating witnesses and conducting interviews. Because he needs time to review FBI and/or police reports, he suggests attorneys not wait to the last minute to request assistance, particularly if they suspect violations concerning FBI Policies & Procedures and/or the Attorney General Guidelines.
