Local Islamic studies expert dissects alleged Tampa terrorism plot, discusses suspect's motivation

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. - Investigators continue to unravel an alleged terror plot to bomb the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, a nightclub, and a business.

Sami Osmakac is now in the hands of the FBI after undercover agents foiled his alleged plan.

Investigators said Osmakac cited his Muslim beliefs behind his plot to kill Americans.

But one local Muslim studies expert points to her belief that the man is misinformed about his faith.

"I don't think his Islamic religion has anything to do with what's going on," said Dr. Barbara DeGeorge, an Islamic studies expert who lives in Delray Beach.

DeGeorge said Osmakac does not seem connected to the terrorism world and appears to be acting as a "lone wolf."

DeGeorge feels he is simply using his religion to draw attention to his personal struggles.

"The minute you start with terrorism and the Islamic government, you now are focusing on something that's in the forefront of most American's minds," said DeGeorge.

According to the FBI, during the undercover investigation Osmakac reiterated his intentions saying, "We all have to die, so why not die the Islamic way."

DeGeorge said the statement proves he has no understanding of his religion.

"He may be a Muslim, but that has nothing to do with what he was planning to do. His targets were definitely not religious," said DeGeorge.

Investigators point to the Muslim community for their help in foiling the plot. The FBI said a source tipped them off to Osmakac and kept in contact with federal authorities.

"The unfortunate part of this situation is that it focuses the news on an Islamic person. It does not focus the new on the issues at hand," said DeGeorge.

DeGeorge said she hopes Americans can look past Osmakac's misuse of his faith and start spending more time looking into the problems young people are facing.