(KATY, TX) — An eight-month-long federal undercover investigation ended this week with the arrest of a Katy man on terrorism-related charges.
Federal agents say 38-year-old Robert James Talbot, who is originally from New York and now resides in Katy, was in possession of C4 explosives. He is charged by criminal complaint alleging attempted interference with commerce by robbery, solicitation to commit a crime of violence and possession of an explosive material.
Court documents further allege that Talbot made several postings on the page between Jan. 30 and Feb. 9, seeking people interested in “walking away from your life…to stop the regime.”
On March 15, 2014, Talbot allegedly posted again to the page:
“In a few weeks me and my team are goin active for Operation Liberty…I will not be able to post no more. We will be the revolution, things will happen nation wide or in the states. They will call us many names and spin things around on media. Just remember we fight to stop Marxism, liberalism, Central banking Cartels and the New World Order. I will try to find someone to take over this community page, but most of the guys who are admins are part of my unit. I will have a website up in 2 months…The funding is unlimited since the banking cartel will be forced to fund our movements.”
On March 20, Talbot reportedly conducted surveillance of several northwest Houston financial institutions, watching the movements of people and also monitoring armored car personnel.
Two days later, Talbot allegedly sent $500 as a down payment for explosive devices. And two days after that, he claimed to have quit his job and was reportedly preparing for an armored car robbery.
Federal investigators said Talbot met with others at a storage facility Thursday to map out a robbery for that morning. He reportedly placed two C4 explosives in his backpack and said he would place it on the armored vehicle.
After giving the group further instructions, he read a “manifesto,” officials said. “We must rebel. There is no other option no. Blood and bullets are the only two things that will change this world, short of divine action.”
On his way to the armored car robbery, Talbot was arrested and taken into custody by the FBI Houston Division Special Weapons and Tactics team.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine for the attempted robbery as well as another 10 years in prison and $100,000 for each of the remaining charges.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s JTTF, which includes personnel from the FBI, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Secret Service, Houston and Houston Metro Police Departments and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Carolyn Ferko and Jim McAlister are prosecuting.
Katy Man Arrested on Terrorism-Related Charges [LISTEN] was originally published on news92fm.com
