In a significant counterterrorism operation, the FBI has arrested Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, a 27-year-old Afghan national residing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Tawhedi was apprehended following an extensive investigation that revealed he had been stockpiling automatic weapons and liquidating his family’s assets in preparation for a planned terrorist attack on Election Day.
The FBI’s investigation uncovered Tawhedi’s alarming intentions, which were reportedly influenced by the Islamic State (ISIS). After his arrest, Tawhedi confessed to investigators that he intended to target large crowds in the United States, expressing a desire to die as an Islamic martyr alongside a juvenile co-conspirator. He had even purchased a one-way ticket for his wife and child to return to Afghanistan, indicating a clear commitment to his extremist agenda.
The Justice Department has formally charged Tawhedi with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization. According to the criminal complaint, Tawhedi took several steps to facilitate his plot, including acquiring firearms and ammunition, liquidating family assets, and planning to resettle family members overseas.
“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. This statement underscores the seriousness of the threat posed by individuals motivated by extremist ideologies.
FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “This defendant, motivated by ISIS, allegedly conspired to commit a violent attack, on Election Day, here on our homeland.” The FBI’s proactive measures in uncovering and disrupting this plot highlight the agency’s ongoing commitment to national security.
The investigation revealed that Tawhedi had engaged in communications with individuals affiliated with ISIS, participated in pro-ISIS online groups, and even recorded a video promoting martyrdom to children. His actions included advertising the sale of family property on social media, which ultimately led to a meeting with undercover FBI agents posing as arms dealers. During this meeting, Tawhedi and his juvenile accomplice purchased two AK-47 assault rifles, ten magazines, and 500 rounds of ammunition.
“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,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma. This collaborative effort illustrates the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in thwarting potential acts of terrorism.
Tawhedi now faces serious charges, including conspiring to provide material support to ISIS, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, and receiving firearms intended for use in a federal crime of terrorism, which could result in an additional 15 years behind bars if convicted.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Oklahoma City Field Office, with assistance from local law enforcement agencies. The commitment to protecting American citizens from the threat of terrorism remains a top priority for federal authorities.
