UPDATE: CBS is reporting that it was not Gadahn but “another important terrorist. I’ll update when we have more.

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In my lifetime, to my knowledge, the US has handed down exactly one indictment for treason. Now I will mention in passing that we should have handed down a couple of more, like to folks who sold classified information to the Soviets and to John Kerry for his little jaunt to Paris and Teddy Kennedy when he tried to make a deal with Soviets, but in point of fact there has been but one.

Adam Gadahn. A US citizen who is the American born spokesman for Al Qaeda.

Reports are out today that he has been captured in Pakistan. From Associated Press…

KARACHI, Pakistan – Pakistani intelligence agents have arrested Adam Gadahn, the American-born spokesman for al-Qaida, in an operation in the southern city of Karachi, two officers and a government official said Sunday.

The arrest of Gadahn is a major victory in the U.S.-led battle against al-Qaida and will be taken as a sign that Pakistan is cooperating more fully with Washington. It follows the recent detentions of several Afghan Taliban commanders in Karachi.

Gadahn was arrested in the sprawling southern metropolis in recent days, two officers who took part in the operation said. A senior government official also confirmed the arrest.

[...]

A U.S. court charged Gadahn with treason in 2006, making him the first American to face such a charge in more than 50 years. He could face the death penalty if convicted. He was also charged with two counts of providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Now then, the real question is, So what? If he’s brought back to the US the line of politically motivated defense lawyers – see the Al Qaeda Seven – will line up to defend this poor misguided little urchin. Anybody think there’s any chance he’ll actually be tried for treason or executed? I don’t. Personally, I’d let the Pakistanis keep him if they promised to wear out cane on his feet at least once a week.

This should really ratchet up the close GITMO groups. It is going to be an interesting summer.