By BJ Austin, KERA News
Dallas, TX – A college student from Saudi Arabia charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction will remain in custody for the time being.
Khalid Aldawsari appeared in the U.S. Federal Court in Lubbock this morning. Judge Nancy Koenig asked the 20-year-old if he understands the charges against him and ordered him to remain in custody a detention hearing March 11th.
Federal prosecutors say Aldawsari bought explosive chemicals online and planned to blow up dams, nuclear plants or the Dallas home of former President George W. Bush.
Aldawsari faces a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted.
Fatal Wrong-Way Crash
A 36 year old man faces intoxicated manslaughter and assault charges after a wrong way crash on northbound I-45 in South Dallas early this morning.
Dallas County Sheriff's deputies say Joseph Macias was going the wrong way on I-45 at Loop 12 when he hit a car carrying three people. The driver, Luis Alvarado was killed. Two passengers were injured. One is reported in serious condition.
Macias is in critical condition at Baylor Medical Center.
Deck Park Downtown Traffic Detours
Downtown Dallas traffic on the Woodall Rodgers Freeway will be detoured again this weekend for construction of the "deck park."
The westbound lanes will be closed from midnight Saturday until Monday morning rush hour. Traffic on southbound-75 and northbound-I-45 will be detoured to westbound-30.
At 10 am Sunday, the east and westbound frontage roads between Olive and St. Paul will be also be closed. Traffic will be detoured along surface streets.
Plea Deal in Sale of Asian Elephants
A Circus president and former employee will spend three years in probation and do 100 hours of community service for the illegal sale of "Tina" and "Jewel" - two Asian elephants.
The circus sold the elephants to an employee without a special endangered species permit. John Pugh, Wilbur Davenport and Cole Brothers Circus cut a deal with federal prosecutors in Beaumont yesterday.
Davenport bought the elephants and moved them to his home in Leggett, Texas, where he intended to offer elephant rides and appearances at parties.
"Jewel" was confiscated from Davenport by animal welfare officials. "Tina" was surrendered to the Fish and Wildlife Service, which moved the girls "together" to the San Diego Zoo.
Inmate Pleads Guilty to President Threat
A 28 year old Texas prison inmate has pleaded guilty to threatening the President.
Prosecutors say Robert Lee Berkley, Jr. was in the Hodge Unit in Rusk Texas when he wrote a letter claiming that when he got out, he was going to Washington to kill President Barak Obama and the First Family.
Berkley confirmed his plans in two separate interviews with law enforcement.
He faces up to five years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set.