An 18-year-old Afghan national has entered a guilty plea in a scheme involving firearms acquisition in preparation for an ISIS-inspired attack during the U.S. 2024 Election Day. Abdullah Haji Zada, a lawful permanent resident in the United States, admitted to charges related to obtaining weapons with the intent to unleash terror in the name of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, according to a press release from the Justice Department.
Documents from the court revealed that along with a co-conspirator, Zada was in possession of two AK-47-style rifles and ample ammunition, ready to be used in an attack they had planned. It's reported that Zada, who was apprehended in October 2024 with Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, was a minor just shy of his 18th birthday at the time of the arrest. Despite his age, he will face sentencing as an adult, with the prospect of up to 15 years in federal prison looming over him.
Zada's agreement to plead guilty carries with it more than just incarceration. Included in the deal is his acceptance of an order of removal that will come into effect post-incarceration, effectively ending his tenure in the United States by mandating his return to Afghanistan. "Zada also waived his right to appeal the conviction except in limited circumstances or seek any form of appeal or relief from his removal and deportation," as stated by the Justice Department.
His alleged partner in the plot, Tawhedi, whose trial is still pending, faces charges of supporting ISIS with a maximum sentence of 20 years if convicted, plus additional time for related firearms offenses. Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, along with other officials, imparted the facts of the case, which is being investigated by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and a cohort of federal and local agencies. Tawhedi, despite the serious allegations, maintains a presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law.
