Earlier tonight Erin Burnett reported that a CNN reporter overheard Ferguson protesters planning to use violence after the grand jury decision comes down. It looks like two guys were looking to do just that:
.@CBSNews reports the FBI arrested 2 men in #STL area in sting for allegedly buying explosives to be used during #Ferguson protests.
— Michael Calhoun (@michaelcalhoun) November 22, 2014
JUST IN: FBI have arrested 2 men in #STL area in sting operation for allegedly buying explosives to be used during protests, CBS News learns
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) November 22, 2014
Not many details are available yet:
The FBI has arrested two men in a Saint Louis area sting operation for allegedly buying explosives to be used during protests, CBS News reports.
Prior to that news, it was revealed the FBI sent nearly 100 additional agents to Ferguson, Missouri, to help law enforcement there as officials prepare for possible unrest ahead of a grand jury decision in the Michael Brown shooting. A U.S. official said Friday that the agents will supplement the law enforcement presence.
UPDATE:
New Black Panthers?!
More on #Ferguson arrests: The men are allegedly members of the new Black Panthers and arrested as part of an FBI undercover operation.
— Mosheh Oinounou (@Mosheh) November 22, 2014
UPDATE!!!
It’s been confirmed by CBS that they were New Black Panthers:
The FBI arrested two men Thursday night accused of purchasing explosives they apparently planned to use during protests in Ferguson, Missouri, a law enforcement source told CBS News.
The men, who live in the St. Louis area, are allegedly members of the new Black Panthers. They were arrested as part of an FBI undercover operation near Ferguson and intended to use the explosives in pipe bombs, the source confirmed.
The suspects, whose names were not released, were arraigned in federal court on Friday.
FBI spokeswoman Rebecca Wu told CBS News the suspects were arrested on outstanding warrants.
We’ll update as more information comes in.