Capitol Bomb Probe Leads To Unrelated Weapons Case

Published February 22, 2012 11:09PM (EST)

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A second person has been charged in an offshoot of the FBI sting that led to charges last week against a Virginia man charged with plotting a suicide bombing at the U.S. Capitol.

But authorities say the weapons charges against 26-year-old Saad Elorch are only loosely related to the case against 29-year-old Amine El Khalifi of Alexandria. Authorities say El Khalifi was prepared to carry out what he thought would be an al-Qaida suicide attack.

The charges against Elorch make no allegation of terrorist activity. Court records say he was arrested Tuesday and charged with illegal possession of a firearm.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Alexandria says the two cases developed out of the same broad investigation but are otherwise unrelated.


By Salon Staff

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