Las Vegas, Nev. – The Federal Grand Jury has indicted a Las Vegas man on charges that he intentionally conveyed false and misleading information to federal authorities concerning plans to possibly bomb the United States Embassy in Manila, announced Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.

APOLINAR AGELIO TIU, age 62, of Las Vegas, is charged with one count of Conveying False Information relating to explosive materials and one count of Making a False Statement involving terrorism. The sealed Indictment was returned by the Grand Jury yesterday and unsealed this morning following TIU's arrest in Las Vegas.

"This case marks the first time that an individual has been charged in the District of Nevada with conveying false information relating to shipping explosive materials and delivering and discharging explosives against a government facility," said U.S. Attorney Bogden. "Passed as part of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, this federal law is providing law enforcement officials with additional tools to investigate possible acts of terrorism."

"Making a false terrorist threat is a serious violation of law, draining our already overburdened public safety agencies and preventing them from pursuing real threats to our national security," said Steve Usiak, Resident Agent-in-Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (U.S. ICE) in Las Vegas. "False statements made to federal authorities will eventually be discovered, especially by federal agents trained to investigate and uncover the truth."

The Indictment alleges that on about February 6, 2006, TIU intentionally conveyed false and misleading information to a Department of Homeland Security employee who handled the agency's "TIPS" Line. The "TIPS Line" [(888) HLS-TIPS] or [(888) 457-8477], is provided for persons who believe they have information about possible terrorist activities. TIU allegedly told the employee that he had information on two illegal aliens who were shipping bombs in packages and computer printers to a terrorist organization called Abu Sayyaf Brigade in Mindano, Philippines, for the purpose of possibly bombing the United States Embassy in Manila, when in fact TIU knew that his statements were false, fictitious and fraudulent.

If convicted, TIU faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the Conveying False Information count, and up to eight years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the False Statement count.

He is scheduled to make an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Leen at 3:00 p.m. today.

This case is being investigated by U.S. ICE and the FBI, with the assistance of the Joint Terrorism Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kurt P. Schulke.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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