The Justice Department has charged a man with conspiring to conduct a terrorist attack on Election Day in the United States on behalf of ISIS.
Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, a 27-year-old citizen of Afghanistan residing in Oklahoma City, allegedly obtained firearms and ammunition to carry out the attack. He is accused of taking steps to liquidate his family’s assets, resettle his family overseas, and acquire weapons to commit the violence.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said the Justice Department foiled Tawhedi’s plot and will continue to combat the threat posed by ISIS. FBI Director Christopher Wray praised the agency’s efforts in uncovering and stopping the plot.
“As charged, the Justice Department foiled the defendant’s plot to acquire semi-automatic weapons and commit a violent attack in the name of ISIS on U.S. soil on Election Day,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.
“We will continue to combat the ongoing threat that ISIS and its supporters pose to America’s national security, and we will identify, investigate, and prosecute the individuals who seek to terrorize the American people. I am deeply grateful to the public servants of the FBI, National Security Division, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma for their work to disrupt this attack and for the work they do every day to protect our country.”
FBI Director Christopher Wray said: “This defendant, motivated by ISIS, allegedly conspired to commit a violent attack, on Election Day, here on our homeland. I am proud of the men and women of the FBI who uncovered and stopped the plot before anyone was harmed. Terrorism is still the FBI’s number one priority, and we will use every resource to protect the American people.”
U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma said: “Thanks to the relentless efforts of the FBI, National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, and federal prosecutors in my office, the alleged plan to commit an attack on Election Day was disrupted and Mr. Tawhedi was arrested.
“Fighting terrorism remains the top priority of the Justice Department. We will continue to pursue, disrupt, and hold accountable those who plot to commit acts of terrorism against our country and our people.”
According to the criminal complaint, Tawhedi was seen in a video reading text about the rewards of martyrdom and had accessed ISIS propaganda online. He also participated in pro-ISIS groups and contributed to a charity linked to the terrorist organization.
The complaint alleges that Tawhedi and his juvenile co-conspirator advertised the sale of their family’s property online. An FBI source responded to the ad and met with Tawhedi to discuss purchasing firearms. Tawhedi expressed interest in acquiring AK-47 assault rifles, magazines, and ammunition.
On October 7, Tawhedi and the juvenile met with FBI agents and purchased the weapons. They were arrested shortly after.
Tawhedi is charged with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS and receiving a firearm for a felony or a federal crime of terrorism. If convicted, he faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years for the first charge and 15 years for the second.
