Michael Curtis Reynolds
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Michael Curtis Reynolds | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 6, 1958 |
| Other names | Fritz Mueller |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Criminal status | Incarcerated at FCI Schuylkill |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Millard Lee Reynolds, Joyce B Reynolds (Lawrence) |
| Convictions | 2007-07-13 |
| Criminal charge | See indictment |
| Penalty | 30 years imprisonment |
Michael Curtis Reynolds (born April 6, 1958) is an American who was convicted of terrorism-related crimes after a series of December 2005 online discussions with a US judge posing as a militant.
Described as a transient, Reynolds was living with his mother at the time of his online comments.[1]
A 1976 graduate of North Salem High School in North Salem, New York, he was also arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and breach of the peace. He was also named on legal documents related to tax liens against him, and outstanding debts he owed.[2]
He was convicted of trying to blow up his family's Purdys, New York, home in 1978.[3] He was given a conditional discharge after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree attempted arson.
In 1982 he married Tammy Danise, and the couple had three children together. They later divorced, and the children went into their mother's custody.[4] His father-in-law described him as a "John Wayne-wannabe"[5]
Conspiracy
Reynolds discussed his wishes to bomb US-based oil pipelines with online acquaintances in October 2005, including in the Yahoo! chat room entitled OBLcrew, where he posted messages stating "It is true America has overstepped its bounds in invading Iraq. Those serious enough to do something about it should e-mail... . Contact soon... . We both want something, let's talk." on October 25, and repeating his plea the following day with "Still awaiting someone serious about contact. Would be a pity to lose this idea". At some point between his online discussions in October, and his arrest in December, Reynolds moved to Pocatello, Idaho, and found work with American Microsystems.
After becoming unemployed again, Reynolds was arrested in December 2005, after arranging to meet an online acquaintance, secretly FBI informant and controversial vigilante online-terrorist-hunter Shannen Rossmiller, who had promised him $40,000 to help him purchase fuel trucks to help destroy targets. At the time, he had been living in Room 205[5] at the Thunderbird Motel,[6] and his net worth was only $24.85.[5]
Reynolds has since claimed that he was running an independent sting operation, hoping to expose terrorist cells working within the United States.[7] He sent a letter to a local newspaper stating that version of events.[8]
