A Fort Worth man faces federal charges for threats made to construct a bomb and launch a suicide attack targeting Americans, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould. Mohammad Dawood Alokozay, a 30-year-old Afghan national, was charged following the spread of a menacing video across social media platforms, including TikTok, X, and Facebook.
In the video, made last Sunday, Alokozay is seen using Dari, expressing anger, and gesturing broadly while talking to at least two males via video call. He threatened not only the call participants but also Americans and "infidels," mentioning a yellow cooking oil container like those the Taliban used for making improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan. Alokozay, who claimed the Taliban were dear to him, is in custody with scheduled appearances before a U.S. Magistrate Judge, according to a statement by the Department of Justice.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi pointed the finger at the previous administration, saying, "This Afghan national came into America during the Biden administration and as alleged, explicitly stated that he came here in order to kill American citizens." Bondi emphasized the perceived public safety lapse due to "the prior administration's dangerous incompetence," as conveyed by the Justice Department.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould applauded the quick work of law enforcement, remarking, per the Justice Department, "We have zero tolerance for violence and threats of violence to kill American citizens and others like those allegedly made by this individual." Acknowledging the collaboration of federal and local forces to bring Alokozay to justice, Raybould's statement continued to emphasize the swift pursuit of alleged perpetrators endangering North Texas residents.
FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock underscored the importance of public vigilance, crediting reported sightings of the threatening video for enabling the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force to prevent a potential attack. "If you see something, say something," Rothrock insisted in the DOJ release. Echoing this sentiment was Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard, who assured that online threats will be taken seriously, pursued, and prosecuted with the full force of the law.
