OKLAHOMA CITY — An Afghan citizen living on Shartel Avenue in Oklahoma City has been arrested and charged in federal court with conspiring to conduct an Election Day terrorist attack in the United States on behalf of ISIS.
The United States Justice Department unsealed a criminal complaint Tuesday afternoon against
- Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27.
The U.S. government designates ISIS, IS, or Islamic State group as a terrorist organization that adheres to the religion of Islam.
According to the Congressional Research Service, “The Islamic State (IS) is a transnational Sunni Islamist insurgent and terrorist group.”
If convicted, Tawhedi could receive a maximum of 35 years for the two crimes he is accused of committing.
The FBI Oklahoma City Field Office has investigated the case with assistance from the Oklahoma City Police Department and the Moore (Oklahoma) Police Department.
The criminal complaint
According to a Justice Department summary press release sent out around 5 PM Tuesday, Tawhedi:
- Conspired and attempted to provide material support to ISIS and obtained firearms and ammunition to conduct a violent attack on U.S. soil in the name of ISIS.
- Conspired and attempted to provide material support to ISIS and obtained firearms and ammunition to conduct a violent attack on U.S. soil in the name of ISIS.
The arrest affidavit signed by FBI Special Agent Nathan Wilkins and Suzanne Mitchell, U.S. Magistrate Judge, details the information the U.S. government allegedly gathered that warranted his being criminally charged in federal court. In it, the FBI accuses Tawhedi of purchasing AK-47-type weapons and ammunition for the operation.
Read the USDOJ arrest affidavit here:
m-24-760-sm_usa_v._tawhedi_stamped_3.56pm“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.
“This defendant, motivated by ISIS, allegedly conspired to commit a violent attack, on Election Day, here on our homeland,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “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.”
Alleged evidence
The Justice Department arrest affidavit showing probable cause to make the arrest gives details of activities and communication connections the Justice Department believes shows that Tawhedi intended and planned to become a martyr for Islam while engaging in an attack on U.S. soil on Election Day.
The Justice Department alleges that in seized communications Tawhedi indicated that his attack was planned for Election Day. In a post-arrest interview, Tawhedi allegedly confirmed the attack was planned for Election Day targeting large gatherings of people in which he and an accomplice (also arrested) were to die.
The Justice Department also alleges that Tawhedi conspired to provide material support to ISIS, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
In a search of Tawhedi’s phone, the FBI alleges that they obtained communications between Tawhedi and a person who facilitated recruitment, training, and indoctrination to persons who expressed interest in terrorist activity and who Tawhedi understood to be affiliated with ISIS.
The complaint alleges that Tawhedi and a juvenile accomplice set about to liquidate his family’s assets prior to the attack in which he expected to die a martyr.
Founder, publisher, and editor of Oklahoma City Free Press. Brett continues to contribute reports and photography to this site as he runs the business.
