An Afghan national residing in Oklahoma City was taken into custody for allegedly devising a terrorist act timed with the U.S. Election Day on behalf of ISIS. The 27-year-old, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, is accused of attempting to throw support behind the terrorist group by obtaining weapons and plotting to launch an attack on American soil, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The charges stem from a complaint that details Tawhedi's actions, which included liquidating family assets and attempting to acquire assault rifles and ammunition. It was part of what authorities describe as a thwarted plot to commit violence in the name of ISIS. The U.S. Attorney's Office, in a statement released yesterday, pointed out that they were able to quickly foil the defendant’s plot "to acquire semi-automatic weapons and commit a violent attack in the name of ISIS on U.S. soil."
The case unfolded with the FBI investigating Tawhedi’s communications and discovering connections between him and a person linked to ISIS recruitment. In this investigation, Tawhedi was found to be in possession of pro-ISIS content and engaged with like-minded groups on encrypted platforms. In addition to electronic evidence, the FBI utilized a confidential human source who uncovered Tawhedi's interest in procuring firearms during a staged sale transaction.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated in the press release, "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."
The elaborate sting operation culminated in the apprehension of Tawhedi and a juvenile accomplice on Monday, after they took possession of two AK-47 assault rifles, magazines, and ammunition from undercover FBI assets. In a post-arrest interview, Tawhedi allegedly confirmed his plans to carry out an attack on Election Day, targeting large public gatherings with the expectation of becoming a martyr.
Charged with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS and receiving a firearm to commit a felony, Tawhedi faces significant prison time if convicted. The federal prosecution of this case involves Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica L. Perry, Matt Dillon, and Mark Stoneman, as well as Trial Attorneys George C. Kraehe and Everett McMillian from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
