Saratoga Man Sentenced to 30 Years for ‘Dirty Bomb’ Plot Against Muslims

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Glendon Scott Crawford, 52, of Galway, NY, was today sentenced to 30 years in prison for a chilling plot to kill Muslims using a weapon of mass destruction. The sentence also includes lifetime supervised release.

Crawford faced multiple charges after being convicted on all counts related to his scheme. He is the first person in the United States found guilty under the ‘dirty bomb’ statute, which Congress passed in 2004.

United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian emphasized the gravity of the situation: ‘Crawford planned to kill Muslims due to their religion and other individuals he disagreed with politically. Our FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force thwarted his plan.’

Crawford, a self-proclaimed Ku Klux Klan member, sought funding for his plan from senior Klan members, believing them to be businessmen. He was actually dealing with FBI agents in an undercover operation.

The trial revealed that Crawford and his co-conspirator Eric J. Feight had taken steps to design, acquire parts, and test a remote-control unit for the radiological dispersal device. Crawford received a radiation dispersal device he believed was from Klan businessmen, but it was actually provided by FBI agents.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary B. McCord highlighted the importance of counterterrorism efforts: ‘We will continue to pursue justice against anyone who seeks to perpetrate attacks against Americans on our soil.’ FBI Special Agent in Charge Andrew W. Vale noted the significance of community vigilance, stating that concerned citizens’ actions were crucial in preventing this attack.

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