After Being Indicted by Federal Grant Jury on Two Counts, Smadi's Back in Court Next Week

By Robert Wilonsky Thu., Oct. 8 2009 at 11:03 AM

Categories: Crime

Earlier this week, federal authorities were in a Dallas courtroom laying out the case against 19-year-old Jordanian Hosam Maher Smadi, arrested two weeks ago for allegedly trying to blow up Fountain Place in downtown Dallas. We didn't know when Smadi would again appear in court, but moments ago the U.S. Attorney's Office sent word: He's back at the Earle Cabell next week, as a matter of fact. That's because a federal grand jury has indicted him on two counts relating to the bombing attempt, each of which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison (and a $250,000 fine).

Update: Check after the jump for the full indictment. In short, though, the release summarizes:

Count one of the two-count indictment charges Smadi with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, alleging that on September 24, 2009, he activated a timer connected to a vehicle borne improvised explosive device located inside a parking garage directly beneath a public building located at 1445 Ross Avenue in Dallas.

Count two of the indictment charges Smadi with bombing a place of public use, alleging that he knowingly and unlawfully delivered, placed, discharged and detonated an explosive device into a place of public use and government facility by activating a timer connected to the device or bomb and leaving it in the public parking garage of the building. It further alleges that Smadi did this with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury and with the intent to cause extensive destruction of the facility, likely to result in major economic loss.