Three Charged in Chicago Terror Plot Ahead Of NATO Summit

Three people have been arrested and charged in an alleged terror plot against the President’s Chicago headquarters right before the NATO summit begins.

The three were accused of making Molotov cocktails in preparation for the two-day summit. According to The Chicago Tribune, the accused are: Brian Church, 20, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Jared Chase, 24, of Keene, N.H., and Brent Vincent Betterly, 24, of Oakland Park, Fla..

The trio’s attorney, Sarah Gelsomino, stated that:

“[The men are] absolutely in shock and have no idea where these charges are coming from.”

The Chicago Tribune reports that Prosecutors charged:

“Church, Chase and Betterly are self-proclaimed anarchists. . .who traveled together from Florida to the Chicago area in preparation for committing terrorist acts of violence and destruction.”

They went on to state:

“Plans were made to destroy police cars and attack four Chicago police department stations with destructive devices in an effort to undermine the police response to the conspirators’ other planned actions for the NATO summit.”

According to Yahoo News, the three were staying in the apartment of activist Bill Vassilakis. Vassilakis stated of the charges that:

“All I can say about that is, if you knew Brent, you would find that to be the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever heard. He was the most stand-up guy that was staying with me. He and the other guys had done nothing but volunteer their time and energy.”

Newser reports that the trio appeared in court on Saturday, in order to go through a bond hearing for charges of conspiracy to commit terrorism, possession of an explosive or incendiary device and providing material support. Their bond has been set at $1.5 million each.

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