(RepublicanPress.org) – According to a 2022 Amtrak report, travelers took almost 22.9 million trips during the year; an average of over 62,800 of those were on Amtrak trains. Nearly three-quarters of the miles traveled were on host railroads, including BNSF Railway, Union Pacific Railroad, and CSX Transportation. Recently, CSX experienced a serious problem along one of its tracks in Ohio, which turned out to be sabotage.
On October 6, Cleveland.com reported that the FBI arrested 43-year-old Joseph Findley for allegedly trying to cause a train derailment. Authorities believe he wedged metal spikes along a commuter line on the track and track switches five times between August and his arrest. That particular stretch of railway carries between 180 and 200 passengers twice every day. According to court records, railroad officials told federal agents that the device wedged in the track was similar to a “derail device” terrorists use to cause train accidents.
Attempted Ohio train derailments part of alleged terrorist plot: court docs https://t.co/LKsZhfYaDa
— FOX 5 NY (@fox5ny) October 20, 2023
Fox News reported that the FBI executed a search warrant on Findley’s home after reviewing surveillance footage from the tracks. Agents apparently found the clothes worn by the suspect in the videos. The 43-year-old reportedly admitted he placed the spikes on the tracks but said he didn’t stuff other materials in the tracks and he wasn’t trying to derail the train. However, the source didn’t say if he gave an explanation for his alleged actions.
In August, the metal shoved into the tracks already caused two trains to temporarily derail, alerting railroad officials and the FBI to a possible problem. CSX workers had to use aggressive means to remove the debris from the track. According to court records, the removal cost $10,000 and took several days. Fox reported that a local business caught the suspect on camera, ultimately leading to his arrest.
Findley was charged with terrorist attacks against railroad carriers. He’s being held without bond pending his next appearance in court.
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