False Terrorist Accusations Alleged

A federal grand jury in Los Angeles has indicted two men in separate cases on charges that they falsely accused associates of planning terrorist acts in the United States.

Juan Peter Delgado, 33, of Los Angeles was arrested Thursday morning by FBI agents for allegedly making a false threat two years ago that methamphetamine had been placed in Arrowhead bottled water by an employee of the company. The hoax, according to the U.S. attorney’s office, was reported to Nestle Waters of North America, Arrowhead’s parent company.

In the second case, agents arrested Khandaker Kabir, 32, of Long Beach for allegedly providing the FBI with false information claiming that a man was an Al Qaeda operative. Kabir said the man was selling illegal cigarettes to fund terrorist acts and that an associate was planning to come to the U.S. for an attack.

According to an indictment, Kabir passed along the false tips by e-mail on six occasions between August and December 2005.

In both cases, authorities allege, the suspects spawned the hoaxes to get back at people with whom they had had a falling out. The individuals, who were not identified by authorities, had no connection to terrorism, authorities said.

“These poison-pen and terrorist hoaxes are becoming all too common, and these individuals who were arrested need to know there are consequences for their actions,” said Laura Eimiller, a spokeswoman for the FBI’s Los Angeles division.

“Terrorism is the No. 1 priority of the Justice Department, and people who make false claims or hoaxes will be prosecuted,” said Assistant U.S. Atty. Nancy Kardon, who is bringing the cases.

Delgado faces a maximum possible penalty of five years if convicted of the single charge against him.

The six charges against Kabir each carries a maximum possible sentence of five years.

Both men will be arraigned Monday.