FAIRBORN -- We're now learning that a Dayton Police Detective helped the terror task force arrest Christopher Lee Cornell.
But the group also relied on social media.
"If he had not been on twitter," said Donna Schlagheck, Ph.D., Wright State University Professor, "He might very well be on his way to Washington D.C. right now."
Schlagheck wrote the first published book on terrorism in 1989.
"It's a classic current example of the joint terrorism task force tracking someone's electronic communications," she said.
FBI Agents arrested 20-year-old Christopher Lee Cornell of Green Township Wednesday.
They say he tweeted quote, "I believe we should just wage jihad under our own orders and plan attacks..."
Agents say he planned an attack on the Capitol Building, planting pipe bombs and then shooting officers and employees as they evacuated.
"The government is clearly using social media, and so are the terrorists," said Schlagheck.
Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter have helped federal agencies catch terrorists in recent years to prevent attacks and save lives.
But in years past, without social media it's a different story.
As in the case of Timothy McVeigh, the man responsible for killing 161 people in the Oklahoma City bombing.
"Since he'd spoken to no one they kept their conversations very very close and nothing electronic was ever passed, prevention was impossible," said Schlagheck.
A chilling reminder of what could happen if law enforcement doesn't recognize the signs.
"It should send a chill, It's my hope that law enforcement receives the credit it absolutely deserves," said Schlagheck.
On the flip side of all of this, Schlagheck says terrorist groups have been around long before social media and will find ways to get around the government.
But the group also relied on social media.
"If he had not been on twitter," said Donna Schlagheck, Ph.D., Wright State University Professor, "He might very well be on his way to Washington D.C. right now."
Schlagheck wrote the first published book on terrorism in 1989.
"It's a classic current example of the joint terrorism task force tracking someone's electronic communications," she said.
FBI Agents arrested 20-year-old Christopher Lee Cornell of Green Township Wednesday.
They say he tweeted quote, "I believe we should just wage jihad under our own orders and plan attacks..."
Agents say he planned an attack on the Capitol Building, planting pipe bombs and then shooting officers and employees as they evacuated.
"The government is clearly using social media, and so are the terrorists," said Schlagheck.
Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter have helped federal agencies catch terrorists in recent years to prevent attacks and save lives.
But in years past, without social media it's a different story.
As in the case of Timothy McVeigh, the man responsible for killing 161 people in the Oklahoma City bombing.
"Since he'd spoken to no one they kept their conversations very very close and nothing electronic was ever passed, prevention was impossible," said Schlagheck.
A chilling reminder of what could happen if law enforcement doesn't recognize the signs.
"It should send a chill, It's my hope that law enforcement receives the credit it absolutely deserves," said Schlagheck.
On the flip side of all of this, Schlagheck says terrorist groups have been around long before social media and will find ways to get around the government.