Bob McCarty Writes

Lloyd R. Woodson

When Lloyd R. Woodson, 43, of Reston, Va., was arrested today in Branchburg Township, N.J., law enforcement officers found a plethora of arms, ammunition and other items — including a Middle Eastern red-and white-colored traditional headdress and maps of a military facility — on his person, in his vehicle and in his motel room.  According to a news report, however, the FBI was quick to issue a statement in which they dismiss any apparent link to terrorism:

“Presently, there does not appear to be a link to terrorism; Woodson does not appear to have a link to any known terrorist groups, nor a specific terrorist plot. However, the matter is still under investigation and these should only be considered preliminary findings. It is possible that Mr. Woodson could face federal gun charges, but that has yet to be determined. At this time, the matter is being worked as a state case out of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.”

Is it me or does it seem as if the FBI has jumped to premature conclusion again?  Take a look at the posting about the arrest that appears on the web site of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and see if you agree that something seems amiss [Note: I added the red boldface type to the posting shown below]:

Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne J. Forrest and Branchburg Chief of Police Brian Fitzgerald announced that police have arrested and charged Lloyd R. Woodson, age 43, (last known address) Generation Drive, Reston, Virginia with multiple weapons offenses following an investigation in Branchburg, New Jersey.

Prosecutor Forrest stated that at approximately 3:55 a.m. on Monday, January 25, 2010, Branchburg police officers responded to a 9-1-1 call for a suspicious person at the Quick Chek located at 1296 Route 28, Branchburg Township, New Jersey. The caller stated that a black male wearing a military jacket was inside the store and was acting in a suspicious manner. Branchburg police officers responded to the Quick Chek to conduct the investigation. Patrolman Steven Cronce was the first officer on the scene and was able to locate and make contact with defendant Woodson. Patrolman Cronce conducted a field interview and noticed that defendant Woodson was extremely nervous. Patrolman Cronce also noticed a large bulge in the front of the defendant’s green military-style jacket. Defendant Woodson ran out of the Quick Chek at which time Patrolman Cronce noticed that defendant Woodson’s back was flat, which led him to believe that the defendant could be wearing a bullet proof vest.

Prosecutor Forrest stated that the defendant then fled on foot towards the Regency Trailer Park on Route 22. Additional officers responded to the area and began a canvass to locate defendant Woodson who was subsequently observed laying and hiding in bushes on the Regency Trailer Park property. Officers ordered defendant Woodson to show them his hands. Defendant Woodson refused to comply with the orders of the officers. Defendant Woodson once again began to flee on foot and was tackled to the ground by Branchburg officers. Defendant Woodson began to struggle with the arresting officers who had to use pepper spray in order to subdue him. During the struggle officers noticed that defendant Woodson was concealing a loaded Bushmaster semi-automatic .223 caliber (5.56 mm) assault rifle, which had been altered to fire .50 caliber ammunition, inside of his military-style coat. Officers were able to place defendant Woodson under arrest and a search incident to arrest revealed that defendant Woodson was wearing a military-style ballistic vest with a reinforced front steel plate, had four additional loaded magazines, all containing ball type and hollow point ammunition. This Bushmaster rifle had a defaced serial number.

Prosecutor Forrest stated that detectives subsequently conducted a search of the motel room which defendant Woodson was residing in at the Red Mill Inn, Route 22, Branchburg Township, New Jersey. Detectives located and seized from defendant Woodson’s motel room, a Bushmaster .308 caliber semi-automatic assault rifle with a defaced serial number, a 37 mm Cobray grenade launcher, a second ballistic vest, a rifle mountable Nightsight Illuminator NP75 (Russia) night vision scope, a police scanner, a military-style backpack, a map of a U.S. military installation and a map of an out-of-state civilian community, a Middle Eastern red and white colored traditional headdress, and hundreds of additional .50 caliber and .308 caliber ammunition along with military pouches and garrison equipment.

Prosecutor Forrest stated that defendant Woodson was charged with: Unlawful Possession of Weapons, second degree (2 counts); Prohibited Weapons/Armored Penetrating Bullets, fourth degree; Possession of Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines, fourth degree; Defaced Firearms (2 counts), fourth degree; Obstruction of Justice, disorderly persons; and Resisting Arrest, disorderly persons. Bail is to be set on defendant Woodson who will be subsequently lodged at the Somerset County Jail.

Prosecutor Forrest and Chief Fitzgerald state that their investigation is continuing and request anyone with information to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-231-7100, or the Branchburg Township Police Department at 908-526-3830, or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”. All calls are confidential.

Developing…

Be Sociable, Share!

•