Homeland Security
Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council | FBI/Joint Terrorism Task Force
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FBI/Joint Terrorism Task Force
Congress has designated the Federal Bureau of Investigation as the lead agency to investigate acts of terrorism affecting the United States, its interests, property and citizens, including those employed by the U.S. Government abroad and military personnel overseas. The FBI previously investigated the bombing of the USS Cole, the bombing of our Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, and the bombing of the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia. The FBI is the lead investigative agency on the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. The FBI sent teams to all of these locations to gather and catalog physical evidence recovered at these sites. The FBI is leading the investigation of the anthrax letters sent to Senators Tom Daschle (South Dakota) and Patrick Leahy (Vermont) and to news anchor Tom Brokaw. The FBI is also the lead agency tasked with investigating and thwarting acts of terrorism in the United States, regardless of citizenship, motive, belief or nationality of the perpetrators. All FBI offices are participating in investigations, activities and training to strengthen the FBI's ability to identify those planning future attacks on the United States, its infrastructure, employees and citizens.
In furtherance of this end, the North Dakota FBI has established a Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), overseen by FBI Supervisor Thomas J. Jones in Fargo. Daily operations will be headed by FBI Special Agent John Dalziel. All JTTF members will be governed by the same rules, regulations and laws which govern the FBI, including Federal Grand Jury secrecy rules, classification of documents, and protection of confidential sources. Information released by the JTTF will be governed by federal law; however, the JTTF will share information with non-members whenever possible. JTTF members will be deputized in accordance with federal law and will then be subject to those laws. JTTF members will work from the FBI Fargo office and will be provided access to FBI data, intelligence and resources necessary to carry out their duties. JTTF members will report their findings on FBI formatted documents and will confer with federal prosecutors as do FBI agents. They will testify as necessary concerning their investigative results.
JTTF's mission is to investigate known or suspected illegal activity affecting the United States and its political subdivisions. Investigations will not be limited to "traditional" acts of terrorism such as bombings, but will also include investigations into organizing, planning or financing activities which violate federal laws. JTTF will gather and analyze information regarding known or suspected terrorists' illegal activities in North Dakota and elsewhere. JTTF will send leads as necessary to, and receive reports from, any other FBI offices worldwide. JTTF will confer with and provide investigative results to the United States Attorneys Office for prosecutive decisions or referral to other agencies.