Man accused in CTA fire attack due in court for terrorism, multiple arson charges

The man who faces a federal terrorism charge for allegedly setting fire to a woman on a CTA Blue Line train is due in court Tuesday.

Lawrence Reed, 50, was charged in the CTA fire and an alleged fire at Chicago City Hall three days before this attack.

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Reed was also accused of attempting to sexually assault a female CTA rider and then attacking a man who intervened in March.

Reed is accused of dousing Behtany McGee, 26, with gasoline and setting fire to a Blue Line train on Nov. 17.

She remains in hospital with serious injuries.

Reed faces federal terrorism charges in that attack and has pleaded not guilty.

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Reed has a lengthy criminal history, including more than 70 arrests.

Prior to Blue Line’s arrest, Reed was arrested in August for attacking a social worker at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, when Reed was a psychiatric patient.

A Cook County judge later released him on an electronic monitor.

The charges in the indictment carry a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

He is scheduled to appear at 10 a.m. Tuesday for a status hearing at the Dirksen federal courthouse.

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