Cleveland man, 43, is arrested for jamming metal into tracks and rail switches on Ohio line for mont

Posted by Noelle Montes on Wednesday, May 8, 2024

A Cleveland man has been arrested by police for allegedly trying to cause trains in the city to derail by jamming metal into tracks and rail lines. 

Joseph Findley, 43, has been arrested by the FBI on federal terrorist charges following a string of alleged attacks against railroad carriers on October 6. 

He is accused of placing railroad spikes onto the path of oncoming trains and wedging pieces of metal into a rail switch. 

During a test run for a CSX employee appreciation day, one train hit an obstruction on the track and temporarily derailed before the wheels dropped back into place. 

Joseph Findley, 43, has been arrested by the FBI on federal charges of terrorist attacks and other attacks against railroad carriers on October 6

Joseph Findley, 43, has been arrested by the FBI on federal charges of terrorist attacks and other attacks against railroad carriers on October 6

Multiple images of a bald man in shorts and a black shirt placing items on the tracks five times were caught between August and October 1

Multiple images of a bald man in shorts and a black shirt placing items on the tracks five times were caught between August and October 1

On investigation, CSX train employees found metal materials jammed into the tracks and rail switches. The issue became more concerning once employees began to find purposely placed materials on the tracks for months. 

It is believed by officials that the way the materials have been placed matches methods taught by international terrorist groups to make homemade derail devices. 

Findley lives with his parents near the CSX tracks in Cleveland’s St. Clair-Superior neighborhood. 

His mother, Mary Findley told FOX8: 'He's never been a bad kid, never, he was always good. He’s no terrorist; somebody is making that up.'

When asked about her son's behavior on the tracks, she responded: '[He's been] depressed because he lost his job, he lost his girlfriend, but he never did anything like that. 

'They’re nuts, he’s not a terrorist. I think they all exaggerated it because he never did anything bad.'

The FBI began their investigation in August and discovered that surveillance cameras at Dominion Energy were not positioned to show the nearby railroad tracks. 

Once the company agreed to change the direction of the cameras, multiple images of a bald man in shorts and a black shirt placing items on the tracks five times were caught between August and October 1. 

On investigation, CSX train employees found metal materials jammed into the tracks and rail switches It is believed that the way the materials have been placed matches methods taught by international terrorist groups to make homemade derail devices

On investigation, CSX train employees found metal materials jammed into the tracks and rail switches. It is believed that the way the materials have been placed matches methods taught by international terrorist groups to make homemade derail devices

FBI agents began their investigation in August and discovered that surveillance cameras at Dominion Energy were not positioned to show the nearby railroad tracks

FBI agents began their investigation in August and discovered that surveillance cameras at Dominion Energy were not positioned to show the nearby railroad tracks

Once the company agreed to change the direction of the cameras, multiple images of a bald man in shorts and a black shirt placing items on the tracks five times were caught between August and October 1

Once the company agreed to change the direction of the cameras, multiple images of a bald man in shorts and a black shirt placing items on the tracks five times were caught between August and October 1

The accused's mother, Mary Findley said: 'He's never been a bad kid, never, he was always good. He¿s no terrorist; somebody is making that up.'

The accused's mother, Mary Findley said: 'He's never been a bad kid, never, he was always good. He’s no terrorist; somebody is making that up.'

When police began to try to identify the photographed man, one employee at a nearby business recognized him as the accused. 

The FBI executed a search warrant on Findley’s house and he was arrested on the same day. 

Apart from the CSX train's temporary derailment, no other train has suffered any severe damage. It is not yet known how far along Findley placed the jamming metal pieces on the tracks. A thorough search has not yet been ordered. 

He has been charged with terrorist attacks against railroad carriers. 

As per the channel, Findley is being held without bond in jail till his hearing in the U.S. District Court next week. 

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