Web Site Prompts FBI Arrest of Man on Explosives Charges Inquiry: Sherman Oaks resident, 19, is accused of posting instructions on how to build, use weapons.

[Note the use of the word "man", which hasn't been used in other stories.]

By GREG KRIKORIAN, TIMES STAFF WRITER

FBI agents in New York City have arrested a Sherman Oaks teenager for allegedly using the Internet to distribute information on how to build a wide variety of explosive devices.

The arrest late Sunday of Sherman Martin Austin, 19, came two weeks after federal agents with a search warrant seized two partially constructed Molotov cocktails, a remote detonator and other items from Austin's residence, according to a federal affidavit.

The affidavit also alleges that Austin's Web site included instructions on how to make and use weapons ranging from slingshots and boomerangs to smoke bombs and fuel-fertilizer explosives. Austin's New York attorney could not be reached for comment, but his mother denied that her son had any involvement in making explosives or encouraging others to do so. "At this point in time, I don't want to make this a high-profile drama," she said.

[If you read the warrant, you'd see that he had a lot of stuff in his room. A molotov coctail, as most folks know, is a bottle with fuel in it, and a rag stuck in the opening. It's entirely possible that they just found bottles, some alcohol, and some fabric. The radio controlled detonator could be something as basic as a garage door clicker. Or, it could be a simple electronics project -- a remote control similar to an X-10 home automation unit. The accused is a "computer hacker", and many computer enthusiasts like to build gadgets too.

Note that the FBI need to "play up" the danger, so that the judge will sign the warrant. Later, they need to highlight the potential dangers he presents, so that they can justify his arrest. So, some amount of hyperbole is inevitable.]

"My son is innocent," she added. "These are bogus charges. He is a peaceful person. We are a peaceful family."

[They didn't add any evidence from old copies of the website that would support her statement.]

Austin's Web site, according to the affidavit, stated: "Many different weapons and tools can be used in street fighting. Make sure that you keep them clean of fingerprints, DNA fibers (hair follicles, etc.), especially explosives, because they may not always ignite."

[Again, referring to the affidavit instead of getting a copy of the website from Google's cache.]

Also on the Web site, the affidavit says, was the following message on how to "defeat" police tactics: "One would attack the poorly defended positions by hurling rocks and firebombs. Since regular police could not sustain that for any longer period of time, the riot police would have to come to their aid. Then the second group of protestors would attack the now much weakened main objectives and possibly seize them."

Federal authorities said Austin was in Manhattan last week to protest the World Economic Forum and was arrested by New York police Saturday for allegedly participating in an unlawful assembly and disorderly conduct.

A police search in New York of Austin's car, according to the affidavit, turned up electrical wiring, electrical tape, an empty gasoline container and anarchist literature.

[Wires, tape, and a gas container are exactly what a lot of people keep in their cars, along with wrenches, oil, duct tape, tire repair kits, and other fix-it material. The anarchist literature? Well, he's an anarchist, and that stuff means nothing. If they found a Bible, that would indicate that he's some kind of Christian, but it wouldn't mean he wanted to bomb an abortion clinic.]

After his release by New York police, FBI agents there took Austin into custody Sunday on a federal warrant that alleges he possessed a Molotov cocktail and used his Web site to post instructions on explosive devices with the intent that they would be used to commit federal crimes.

[Note that he's not being busted on the hacking charges, which were brought up in NewsBytes. Every computer person is thinking it's about the hacking, but it's really about freedom of speech, and PATRIOT.]

[Anarchism is being presented in the press as a threat to society, a political movement bent on destroying cities at anti-globalization protests. That's just one tiny aspect of a diverse meta-philosophy that, for many of its adherents, centers around grassroots charity work and disruption of "the spectacle" (an idea that encompasses the media, national chain stores, branding, information technology, and advertising). It's gained popularity partly because it rejects both the corporate free market and socialist command economy as inhumane and "hierarchical". It also has a (sometimes contradictory) individualist position that appeals to Americans.]