This idiot needed to be taken off the board. He clearly had the want to. At the same time he embodies the motto of the Galveston Narcotics Task Force. “If they weren’t so stupid… we’d never catch them.”

Damon M. Joseph, 21, of Holland, Ohio, was charged today in federal court with one count of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, for allegedly planning an attack on a synagogue in the Toledo, Ohio area. Joseph was arrested Friday evening after he took possession of two semi-automatic rifles…

“Damon Joseph was allegedly inspired by ISIS’ call to violence and hate. He planned to attack the victims, based on their religion, at a Toledo-area synagogue in the name of ISIS, and hoped that it would lead to the deaths of many and spread fear,” 

I am not excusing this guy or suggesting that he be given a pass. His kindred souls have demonstrated that a motivated lone nut can inflict a whole lot of damage. He is but a side show to the main event. What is disturbing is that a whole lot of law enforcement resources were diverted to deal with him. While his investigation unfolded other investigations, possibly of more sophisticated threats, were put on hold. 

As an investigator, I usually had half a dozen investigations going at the same time. Some were at a temporary stopping point and could be moved to the bottom of the pile. Others were more promising, but required additional resources, (manpower, equipment, or money) that may lead to a significant case, in the future. These investigations were trumped by the time critical. Investigations that may not be significant, but all the information and resources came together and could be immediately exploited. 

The potential “perp walk” today always won over the perp walk to be conducted at an unspecified date. I am not complaining that is the nature of the beast. 

It means that the sad sack, pictured above, will have his fifteen minutes of fame, while the next Mohammed Atta is free to pursue his schemes. 

The U.S. has paralyzed itself with distinctions, where there are none. A terrorist is an enemy combatant, rather than a criminal. Enemy combatants are fair game. They are eligible to be killed when and where they are found. Just ask The One. He wasn’t shy about using hellfire missiles. This case doesn’t require such a response. A cross town bus would work just as well. Never underestimate the value of mass transportation and high places for combating terrorism.