News Of Home-Grown Terrorists In North Carolina Shocks Officials, Neighbors

Caswell County, NC—Caswell County, North Carolina seems like an unlikely training ground for Islamic terrorists. But, Monday night, FBI SWAT teams raided the Willow Springs home of the alleged ringleader of a terror cell…accusing him and 6 others of planning attacks overseas.

Chandra Vanhook, resident: “I don’t believe it. You don’t see anything around here, but tobacco and cows. Terrorist…that’s a bit much, don’t you think? It makes you feel unsafe anywhere. If you can’t be safe in the country, where can you be safe at?“

39-year-old resident Daniel Boyd is accused of recruiting his two sons and four other men, mostly Americans in their 20’s. According to the indictment, Boyd went to Pakistan and Afghanistan, and “received military-style training in terrorist training camps for the purpose of engaging in violent jihad”. It also claims he fought the Soviets in Afghanistan.

Brad Garrett, former FBI agent: “Homegrown terrorism, I think, has always kept the Bureau up at night because you just don’t know about, sometimes, when it’s about to happen. And, unless you have that one wire tap, or that one piece of source information, these people can function below the radar for months.“

Just last week, a 26-year-old Long Island man was charged with joining Al Qaeda, attacking U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.

Back in North Carolina, some neighbors say they knew the Boyds were Muslim…but no one ever suspected Daniel of being anything but a dedicated family man.

Heather Roegner, neighbor: “Their kids are always out in the neighborhood, playing with all the other neighborhood kids.

Neighbor (unidentified): “They’re just super nice people.“

T.J. Winick, reporting: “Ironically, Caswell County boasts two top training facilities for U.S. Special Forces and anti-terrorist teams.“