Ji-had ‘Em At “Free Weed,” Say Terror Girlfriends

Relatives say that financial gain, not religion, may have been motive in terror plot

Beware the friendly fellow who offers free weed and dinner. He may want jihad in return.

Girlfriends and family members of four men accused of plotting an extravagant terrorist attack against two Bronx synagogues and military jets say the men were manipulated by a cunning government informant who offered them weed, cash and other gifts, according to reports.

"Brother, whatever you need, I will get it for you," the informant, known as "Maqsood," told accused terrorist ringleader James Cromite, his girlfriend Kathleen Baynes relayed to the New York Post. In fact, the day he was arrested, Baynes said Cromite kissed her on the cheek and said everything was going to be all right. A friend later told her that Cromite had said he would soon come back with $50,000, according to the Post. 

Baynes told the paper that after initially meeting Maqsood at a mosque, he would come by their apartment frequently, often bearing gifts.

"He was very persistent, and every time he came for James, he took him away. They said they were going out to eat dinner," she said. "Whenever he needed anything, Maqsood would help -- like financially -- he gave us money to pay rent. He was just constantly around. It was like he was stalking him."

The FBI did not respond to the Post's request for comment on the alleged gifts. A "law enforcement source" told the New York Daily News that the informant was "not authorized to pay anyone."

Cromite, David Williams, Onta Williams and Laguerre Payen face life in prison if convicted of conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction within the U.S. and conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles. Prosecutors have accused the group -- each person has prior criminal record -- of plotting to bomb two synagogues in the Jewish Riverdale section of the Bronx, and shoot down military planes at the Air National Guard base in Newburgh, about 50 miles north of New York City.  

New York City's police commissioner has said the group may have met in prison. Relatives said that at least three of the men had converted to Islam while incarcerated.  

But, they said, religion couldn't have been a major factor in the alleged plot.

"They aren't radicals. They were just financially motivated," Cassandra McKoy, girlfriend of David Williams told the Post. "They aren't terrorists. If Maqsood wasn't in the picture, they would have never come up with the idea."

She also said that Maqsood plied her man with marijuana, and also promised him a car.

Williams' mother, Elizabeth, said the informer promised to pay his brother's medical bills.

The day the group was busted, alleged ringleader Cromite told his girlfriend Baynes that "soon we are going to be all right," the Post reported.

"I guess he meant financially he meant that we were going to be OK," she said.   

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