FBI takes down Russian spy ring in Manhattan

In novel-like news, the FBI busted 10 Russian spies on deep-cover US assignments. The story is rich with dead-drops, hand-offs and Top-Secret subterfuge. One of the spies, Anna Chapman,  is a flame-haired socialite whose activities are reminiscent of the Countess of Romanones’ expoits in The Spy Wore Red.

One of the spies is stirring up interest as a flame haired “Salt” after the character in Angelina Jolie’s movie by that name. Anna Chapman, the socialite in the bunch was picked shortly up after agreeing to supply fake documents to another spy. The Buzz on Chapman has a photo gallery and video clip.

Much of the FBI intelligence concerns a senior Russian spy who went by the name Christopher Metsos. Metsos was a go between for agents all across the US. He was reportedly arrested this morning trying to board a plane in Cypress. He is not in US custody, but extradition is likely.

The New York Post reports, “Each of the 10 arrested was charged with conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison on conviction. Nine were charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum 20 years in prison.”

Of the 10 arrested, 4 were couples who led suburban lives. Their neighbors were stunned by the news.

The case continues to break. Metro News says “David Heathfield of Brampton, Ont., says he’d like to hear from authorities in Ottawa after his dead brother’s name turned up in court files. It seems a Boston-area man accused of being a Russian agent assumed the identity of Donald Heathfield, who died at six weeks of age in 1963. Heathfield was among several people arrested as part of the alleged spy ring. David Heathfield is worried he and his family will now have trouble crossing the U.S. border.”