Plot to kill soldiers discovered by DVD transfer clerk

By | May 30, 2007, 4:40pm PDT

The identity of a clerk at a New Jersey electronics store was revealed recently after he came forward with crucial information on an alleged plot to kill soldiers at Fort Dix, reports the Associated Press.

Brian Morgenstern, a Circuit City clerk is credited with providing the tip to federal investigators.
Morgenstern was transferring a customer video to DVD when he came across clips of 10 men at a firing range with handguns and rifles. He was concerned about the content but was worried about invading the customers’ privacy.

“I was considering whether or not this was really a threat, or something serious,” he said. “I came to the conclusion that that’s not my job or decision to make.”

Morgenstern came forward with the announcement in a series of interviews starting with CNN’s “American Morning.” After viewing the video, he spoke with his managers who then called the police. A 15-month investigation ensued which led to the arrest of six men accused of plotting an attack on an Army installation.

“I feel like I did the right thing, but I think the real heroes are the men and women overseas and the people in our law enforcement who handled the situation,” said Morgenstern.

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Biography

Richard Koman

Richard Koman is an attorney admitted to practice in California. As a technology writer since the mid-1980s, Richard Koman has documented the role of computing in the transformation of the graphic arts, the growth of the Web and the birth of the peer-to-peer phenomenon. He worked as a book and web editor for O'Reilly Media throughout the 1990s, editing several influential websites and numerous best-sellers. As a lawyer, as well as a tech writer, he brings a unique perspective to the blog's intersection of law, government and technology.

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Good job watching our soldiers back.
pueblonative 30th May 2007
While I don't think it would be feasible to do this to every video you transferred, they got a lucky break. Privacy is one thing, but when you accidentally catch a glimpse of something like that,you definitely need to look it over.

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