Saratoga County Teen Arrested on Terrorism Charges
A Halfmoon teen has been arrested by New York State Police on several terrorism related charges.
The 17-year-old was arrested on the morning of July 3 in Halfmoon, according to a State Police Information Report issued on July 4. The report said the teen was arrested on three counts related to terrorism.
In a statement issued on July 7, State Police said the teen was initially arrested on June 17 for making a threat of mass harm and released into custody of a guardian. After further review of the evidence, the teen was arrested July 3 on the two felonies and arraigned at the Saratoga County Youth Part Court. They’re currently being held at the Capital District Juvenile Secure Detention Center in Albany.
The investigation started after State Police received information that the teen had been making concerning statements online. During a search of the teen’s Halfmoon home, police discovered and seized “incendiary device-making material, instruction manuals on how to make incendiary devices, and other weapons.” They also found written and electronic media supporting acts of terrorism.
The teen is being charged with two felonies. The first of these, PL 490.45, deals with criminal possession of a chemical or biological weapon. The teen is specifically accused of violating section two of the law which bans possession of “any select chemical agent, with intent to use such agent to cause serious physical injury to, or the death of, more than two other persons”
The other felony count was PL 490.10, a class D, second degree felony. This law targets those who provide or seek material support or resources for an act of terror. The misdemeanor, PL 240.78, is for making a threat of mass harm. Someone can be charged with the crime even if they don’t have to capacity or intent to carry out an attack.
Police said the investigation was conducted with the assistance of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and that it is still on going.
Publishing note: In the print edition of this week’s Saratoga TODAY, there is an earlier version of the story. At the time of printing, New York State Police had not issued a statement on the arrest and the story was written based information available at the time. The online version has been updated with new information.