Capital District Man Indicted on Three Felony Charges Related to Development of Lethal Radiation Device
Scheme Included Creation of a Remotely Operated X-Ray-Emitting Device Designed to Kill Humans Silently

ALBANY, NY—Glendon Scott Crawford, age 49, of Galway, New York, has been indicted on three federal felony counts related to his development of and plans to use a remotely operated radiation-emitting device to kill human targets. The indictment, filed in U.S. District Court in Albany, New York last evening, charges Crawford with: (count one) attempting to produce and use a radiological dispersal device, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2332h(a) and (c)(1); (count two) conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2332a(a)(2)(C); and (count three) distributing information relating to weapons of mass destruction, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 842(p)(2)(A). The penalties for those offenses are, respectively: (count one) a maximum of life in prison, with a mandatory minimum of not less than 25 years and a $2,000,000 fine; (count two) a maximum of life in prison and a $250,000 fine; and (count three) a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Crawford’s arraignment on the indictment has been scheduled in Albany for Wednesday, January 22, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Carlin, and Special Agent in Charge Andrew W. Vale of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Division. The charges filed today followed an investigation by the Albany FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force that began in April 2012 when authorities received information that Crawford had approached local Jewish organizations seeking out individuals who might offer assistance in helping him with a type of technology that could be used against people he perceived as enemies of Israel.

Crawford and co-defendant Eric J. Feight were arrested on June 18, 2013, and have been held in custody since then by order of U.S. Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel. Charges against Feight on a criminal complaint remain pending. The essence of the defendants' scheme was the creation of a mobile, remotely operated, radiation emitting device capable of killing targeted individuals silently with lethal doses of X-ray radiation. The defendants plotted to use this device against unwitting victims who would not immediately be aware that they had absorbed lethal doses of radiation, the harmful effects of which would only appear days after the exposure. This was an undercover investigation, and, unbeknownst to the defendants, the device that the defendant modified and intended to use was rendered inoperable at all times and posed no danger to the public.

The indictment announced today resulted from a long-term investigation conducted by the Albany FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes the Department of Homeland Security, New York State Police, Albany Police Department, Troy Police Department, and New York City Police Department. The United States Attorney’s Office also acknowledged the assistance of the Criminal Division and National Security Division of the United States Department of Justice. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen C. Green and Richard Belliss and Counterterrorism Section Trial Attorney Joseph Kaster.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Further questions or inquiries may be directed to Executive Assistant United States Attorney John G. Duncan at 315-448-0672.