Justice Department Announces Murder-For-Hire Charges Against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Brigadier General And Former Intelligence Officer And Members Of An Iranian Intelligence Network

The Justice Department released the below information yesterday:

The Justice Department announced today the unsealing of a superseding indictment containing murder-for-hire, money-laundering, and sanctions evasion charges against Ruhollah Bazghandi, also known as Roohollah Azimi; Fnu Lnu, also known as Haj Taher, Haj Taher; Hossein Sedighi; and Seyed Mohammad Forouzan, all of Iran.

“The Justice Department has now charged eight individuals, including an Iranian military official, for their efforts to silence and kill a U.S. citizen because of her criticism of the Iranian regime,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We will not tolerate efforts by an authoritarian regime like Iran to undermine the fundamental rights guaranteed to every American. Three of the defendants charged in this horrific plot are now in U.S. custody, and we will never stop working to identify, find, and bring to justice all those who endanger the safety of the American people.”

“Today’s indictment exposes the full extent of Iran’s plot to silence an American journalist for criticizing the Iranian regime,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “According to the charges, a brigadier general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a former Iranian intelligence officer, working with a network of conspirators, planned to kill a dissident living in New York City. The FBI’s investigation led to the disruption of this plot as one of the conspirators was allegedly on their way to murder the victim in New York. As these charges show, the FBI will work with our partners here and abroad to hold accountable those who target Americans.”

“Today’s indictment makes plain that the Iranian regime for years has been behind a violent campaign to stalk, intimidate, and arrange the killing of an American dissident on U.S. soil for bravely speaking up for the rights of the Iranian people,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Department is committed to exposing and holding accountable those in Tehran who believe they can hide their hand in carrying out such reprehensible activities.”

“As alleged, for years, the Government of Iran has attempted to assassinate, on U.S. soil, a U.S. citizen of Iranian origin who is a prominent critic of the Iranian regime,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York. “In January 2023, we unsealed charges alleging that members of an Eastern European crime group engaged in a plot to murder this victim. As we allege, that group was not acting alone. Today, we hold their Iranian masters to account, and allege that these Iran-based co-conspirators, including a Brigadier General in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, directed the murder plot. By charging these Iran-based defendants, we seek to strike another public blow at the heart of the Government of Iran’s efforts to execute the victim — as well as its lethal targeting, intimidation, and repression of other Iranian dissidents critical of the regime in the U.S. and abroad.”

As detailed in the superseding indictment, Bazghandi, Haj Taher, Sedighi, and Forouzan contracted members of an Eastern European criminal organization, including Rafat Amirov, also known as Farkhaddin Mirzoev, Pᴎᴍ,  and Rome; Polad Omarov, also known as Araz Aliyev, Polad Qaqa, and Haci Qaqa; and Zialat Mamedov, also known as Ziko, to murder a U.S. citizen of Iranian origin in New York City who has publicly opposed the Iranian government and who has previously been the target of similar plots by the Iranian government. Amirov, Omarov, and Mamedov previously were arrested on charges contained in underlying indictments. Amirov and Omarov are in custody in the United States, pending trial; Mamedov was extradited from the Czech Republic to the Republic of Georgia to face charges there. Bazghandi, Haj Taher, Sedighi, and Forouzan, all of whom are based in Iran, remain at large. The case is pending before U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon for the Southern District of New York.

According to the allegations contained in the superseding indictment, other court filings, and statements made during court proceedings, Bazghandi, who resides in Iran, is an IRGC Brigadier General and has previously served as chief of an IRGC Intelligence Organization (IRGC-IO) counterintelligence office. In April 2023, the U.S. Secretary of State designated IRGC-IO as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 14078, for hostage-taking and the wrongful detention of U.S. nationals abroad. On the same date, the Treasury Department sanctioned Bazghandi in connection with his involvement with the detention of foreign prisoners held in Iran. Bazghandi was designated by the Treasury Department a second time in June 2023, this time under Executive Order 13224, for his participation in IRGC-IO’s lethal targeting operations. Haj Taher, Sedighi, and Forouzan (collectively with Bazghandi, the Bazghandi Network), each of whom resides in Iran, also have connections to the Government of Iran.   

The Bazghandi Network contracted Amirov, Omarov, Mamedov, and Khalid Mehdiyev to murder, on U.S. soil, a victim residing in New York City. The victim is a journalist, author, and human rights activist who has publicized the Government of Iran’s human rights abuses and suppression of political expression, including in connection with continuing protests against the regime across Iran. As recently as 2020 and 2021, Iranian intelligence officials and assets plotted to kidnap the victim from within the United States for rendition to Iran in an effort to silence the victim’s criticism of the regime. That plot was disrupted and exposed by the FBI and led to the filing of federal kidnapping conspiracy and other charges in the Southern District of New York against several participants in the plot in United States v. Farahani, et al.

Since at least July 2022, the Bazghandi Network tasked members of the organization with assassinating the victim. The organization’s participation in the murder-for-hire plot was directed by Amirov, who resided in Iran and who was tasked with targeting the victim by individuals in Iran. On approximately July 13, 2022, Amirov forwarded targeting information — which Amirov had received from individuals in Iran — about the victim and the victim’s residence to Omarov. Omarov, in turn, together with Mamedov, directed and collaborated with Mehdiyev, who was residing in Yonkers, New York, to carry out the plot against the victim. Mehdiyev’s participation in the plot was disrupted when he was arrested near the victim’s home on or about July 28, 2022, while in possession of the assault rifle, along with 66 rounds of ammunition, approximately $1,100 in cash, and a black ski mask.

In January 2023, Amirov, Omarov, and Mamedov were arrested overseas. On Jan. 27, 2023, they were charged publicly for their roles in the plot to assassinate the victim. Nevertheless, in the months that followed, members of the Bazghandi Network continued to target the victim. For example, in or about March 2023, Haj Taher searched for information about the victim’s family members and Sedighi saved an image of the victim’s residence. As recently as on or about May 1, 2023, Bazghandi conducted an internet search, in Farsi, for, “a person in the house of [the victim] movie,” and, on the same date, watched a video with the title, “A video of the arrested gunman in front of [the victim]’s home in New York received by [the victim’s employer].”

Bazghandi, Haj Taher, Sedighi, and Forouzan, have been charged with murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; and conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and sanctions against the Government of Iran, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Amirov, Omarov, and Mamedov  have also been charged with murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. In addition, Amirov, Omarov, and Mamedov were charged with attempted murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and possession and use of a firearm in connection with the attempted murder, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison. If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs assisted with the extradition of Mamedov.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Lockard, Jacob H. Gutwillig, and Matthew J.C. Hellman for the Southern District of New York, Trial Attorneys Christopher Rigali and Leslie Esbrook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Trial Attorney Dmitriy Slavin of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Philadelphia Resident Charged For Election-Related Threat To State Party Representative

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Philadelphia released the below information yesterday:

An indictment was unsealed today charging a Pennsylvania man with threatening to kill a representative of a state political party who was recruiting official poll watchers.

According to the indictment, on Sept. 6, John Pollard, 62, of Philadelphia, sent threatening text messages to Victim 1. Victim 1 had previously posted online, in Victim 1’s capacity as an employee of a state political party, that Victim 1 was recruiting volunteers to “help" observe at the polls on Election Day” and included Victim 1’s phone number. Pollard allegedly texted Victim 1 that he was “interested in being a poll watcher” and included Victim 1’s first name. Pollard then allegedly texted three threats to Victim 1:

• “I will KILL YOU IF YOU DON’T ANSWER ME!”
• “Your days are numbered, B****!”
• “GONNA F***ING FIND YOU AND SKIN YOU ALIVE AND USE YOUR SKIN FOR F***ING TOILET PAPER, YOU F***ING KKK**T!”

Pollard was arrested today and appeared in federal court in Philadelphia. He is charged with one count of transmitting interstate threats. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan for the Western District of Pennsylvania made the announcement.

The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Jacob R. Steiner of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole A. Stockey for the Western District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed, or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI Field Offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Three years after its formation, the task force is continuing this work and supporting the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they carry on the critical work that the task force has begun.

Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the task force is led by PIN and includes several other entities within the Justice Department, including the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Civil Rights Division, National Security Division, and FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo

To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found at www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/ou may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

View the indictment here.

My Washington Times On Crime Column's Roundup Of Crime, Spy And Military Thrillers

The Washington Times published my On Crime column’s round up of crime, spy and military thrillers. 

You can read the column via the below link or the below text: 

A roundup of crime, spy and military thrillers - Washington Times

I recall Otto Penzler, editor of numerous mystery, crime fiction and thriller anthologies and owner of The Mysterious Bookshop in New York, telling me that mystery, crime fiction and thrillers were the bestselling genres of books today — and that business was good.

Below are the best crime, spy and military thrillers that I’ve read recently:

"Front Sight: Three Swagger Novellas":

 

I enjoyed Stephen Hunter’s “Front Sight,” three interconnected novellas that follow each generation of the Swagger family, from Bob Lee Swagger, the Vietnam Marine sniper known as “Bob the Nailer,” to his grandfather Charles Swagger, an Arkansas sheriff and gunslinger attached to the FBI to take out the notorious gangsters in the 1930s, and his father, Earl Swagger, a World War II Marine Medal of Honor recipient who takes on postwar criminals.

 

The Swaggers are rugged individuals who are good with guns and possess a strong sense of justice and honor.

 

In “City of Meat,” Charles Swagger is hunting for the notorious bank robber Baby Face Nelson when he traces a tip to the Chicago stockyards. While there, he is assaulted by a madman involved in a narcotics ring. The ring plans to spread its new drug, which makes users insane and kills others.

 

Earl Swagger investigates a bank robbery that left two dead and a fortune missing in small-town Maryland in “Johnny Tuesday.” He uncovers municipal corruption, gang politics, jaded aristocrats, scheming gamblers and a hit man who matches wits and guns with him.

 

In “Five Dolls for the Gut Hook,” Bob Lee Swagger accepts an assignment from the Arkansas police to investigate a serial killer. The three novellas are superb thrillers with action, suspense, notable bad guys who fight the Swaggers and accurate descriptions of guns, as Mr. Hunter is a well-known gun enthusiast.

 

 

"Phantom Orbit"

Many military analysts believe the next big war will be fought in space. David Ignatius’ latest thriller takes the reader into the world of satellites and missiles.

In “Phantom Orbit,” Ivan Volkov, a budding Russian scientist studying in Beijing, begins to unravel a scientific puzzle that will affect satellites and the future of space warfare. He returns to Russia and works for the government.

After enduring years of corruption in his field and everyday life, plus the murder of his prosecutor son and the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian scientist decides to defect to America. Mr. Ignatius’ well-written and well-researched spy thriller is fascinating and, for most of us, educational.

"Sharpe's Command"

 

In Bernard Cornwell’s 23rd Richard Sharpe thriller, “Sharpe’s Command,” a Napoleonic-era British captain is ordered behind enemy lines in Spain.

Sharpe and his small, elite riflemen unit enter a remote village near the Almaraz Bridge. Two French armies are marching toward the bridge to meet Napoleon. If the French armies can meet, the war may be over for the British.

 

Sharpe, the rugged son of a London prostitute and former soldier, must prevent the armies from forming a coalition.

 

This well-written and well-researched historical novel offers accurate and brutal battle scenes along with suspense and romance. Sharpe, whom Bernard Cornwell has described as “a villain, but our villain,’ is a fascinating character, and fans of the series, like me, are glad to have him back.

 

"Clete"

In James Lee Burke’s Dave Robicheaux crime novels, Clete Purcell is a supporting player. Purcell, a huge man and struggling alcoholic, was Robicheaux’s partner when they were with the New Orleans Police Department. Robicheaux later became a detective in New Iberia, Louisiana, and Purcell became a private detective, but the two friends often fought crooks and killers together.

 

In his loud shirts and porkpie hat, Purcell is a troubled Marine Corps veteran of Vietnam, hopeless romantic and violent avenger of helpless victims. Purcell is a fascinating character in his own right, and I have often thought that James Lee Burke should write a novel with Purcell as the lead character.

In “Clete,” Mr. Burke does that. Still, I was somewhat disappointed that Mr. Burke changed the first-person narration from Robicheaux to Purcell as the two men take on the usual suspects in a Dave Robicheaux novel, such as rich, powerful and corrupt men and poor, violent and sociopathic criminals.

 

Although there are flashes of Purcell’s terrible past, I would have liked to read more about him. Still, I enjoyed the well-written crime novel.

• • •

Front Sight
Stephen Hunter
Atria/Emily Bestler Books, 480 pages, $28.99

 

Phantom Orbit
David Ignatius
Norton, 384 pages, $29.99

 

Sharpe’s Command
Bernard Cornwell
Harper, 320 pages, $24

 

Clete
James Lee Burke
Atlantic Monthly, 336 pages, $28

 

• Paul Davis’ On Crime column covers true crime, crime fiction and thrillers.

A Little Night Music: Tom Grant's 'Language Of Our Own'

Tom Grant's Language of Our Own is a nice smooth jazz piece that I listened to tonight.

You can listen to the song via the below link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF6jgLwdRDc 

The piece appears on Tom Grant's Delicioso album:

Delicioso (youtube.com)

An ICE-Cold Report On Illegal Immigrant Criminals In The U.S.

Broad & Liberty ran my piece on illegal immigrant criminals today.

You can read the piece via the below link or the below text:

Paul Davis: An ICE-cold report on illegal immigrant criminals in the U.S. (broadandliberty.com)

Many people were taken aback by last month’s chilling report that as of July 21st, 662,566 illegal immigrants with criminal records illegally crossed over the porous Southern border.

The information about illegal immigrant criminals in our country did not come from a talking head commentator on Fox News employing hyperbole. The data came directly from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

On September 25, Patrick J. Lechleitner, the Deputy Director and Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director of ICE, responded to a letter about illegal immigrants charged or convicted with a crime that Congressman Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) sent the Department of Homeland Security, ICE’s parent organization. 

In Lechleitner’s letter to Congressman Gonzales, he noted, “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recognizes the importance of its relationships with its law enforcement partners to carry out its mission. In recent years, however, as you know, some jurisdictions have reduced their cooperation with ICE, to include refusal to honor ICE detainer requests, even for noncitizens who have been convicted of serious felonies and pose an ongoing threat to public safety. ICE recognizes that some jurisdictions are concerned that cooperating with federal immigration officials will erode trust with immigrant communities and make it harder for local law enforcement to serve those populations. However, “sanctuary” policies can end up shielding dangerous criminals, who often victimize those same communities.”

The letter went on to state, “Your letter requests the number of noncitizens on ICE’s docket convicted or charged with a crime. As of July 21, 2024, there were 662,566 noncitizens with criminal histories on ICE’s national docket, which includes those detained by ICE, and on the agency’s non-detained docket. Of those, 435,719 are convicted criminals, and 226,847 have pending criminal charges.” 

One person shocked and upset about the illegal immigrant criminals running loose in American towns and cities was House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green (R-TN). 

His office issued a statement on September 27 that read:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) issued a statement following the release of new data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) showing that, as of July 21, 2024, nearly 650,000 criminal illegal aliens were currently on ICE’s Non-Detained Docket (NDD) and roaming free in communities throughout the United States. This figure includes roughly 15,000 individuals convicted of or charged with murder, more than 20,000 of sexual assault, and more than 105,000 of assault.: 
 
“It may be shocking to hear that the Biden-Harris administration is actively releasing tens of thousands of criminal illegal aliens into our communities, but their own numbers conclusively prove this to be the case. This defies all common sense. Under President Biden and his ‘border czar,’ Vice President Harris, DHS law enforcement has been directed to mass-release illegal aliens whom they know have criminal convictions or are facing charges for serious crimes—and these dangerous, destructive individuals are making their way into every city and state in this country. How many more Americans need to die or be victimized before this administration is forced to abide by the laws they swore to uphold?” 

As Lechleitner noted in his letter to Congressman Gonzales, sanctuary cities – and Philadelphia is a sanctuary city – do not cooperate with ICE and refuse to honor ICE detainer requests, even for illegals convicted of serious felonies, and are a threat to the security of the public. 

Lechleitner is quite right that sanctuary policies end up shielding dangerous criminals and those protected illegal immigrant criminals are free to murder, rob, rape and otherwise harm Americans living in the Sanctuary Cities. 

Philadelphia being a sanctuary city is essentially an open invitation for illegal immigrants, including the criminals in the mix, to come here and settle. As if we don’t have enough homegrown criminals in Philadelphia. Do we need to import more criminals? The illegal immigrants eat up tax dollars used to shelter and provide health care for them, and well as to school their children. The added tax burden is bad enough, but now we know that many illegal immigrants are also stone-cold predatory criminals.      

But on a good note, the Enforcement and Removal Operations Philadelphia (ERO), a component of ICE, announced that they have removed Marvin Andres Ciro, a Colombian citizen, on September 16th. 

According to ERO, Echeverri is a foreign fugitive wanted by law enforcement authorities in Colombia for homicide. 

“Removing criminal noncitizens such as Marvin Andres Echeverri Ciro protects the American public and sends a message that the U.S. is no safe haven for criminals,” said ERO Philadelphia Field Office Director Cammilla Wamsley. “Echeverri’s case is a testament to the power of the detainer process and its critical role in national security.”

One down and many more to go.

Paul Davis, a Philadelphia writer and frequent contributor to Broad + Liberty, also contributes to Counterterrorism magazine and writes the “On Crime” column for the Washington Times. He can be reached at pauldavisoncrime.com.   

Former Civilian Naval Engineer At The Philadelphia Naval Base Sentenced To Prison for Unlawful Disclosure

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Philadelphia announced the below information on October 8^th..

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Nicole K. Schuster, 32, of Naples, Florida was sentenced to one year and one day in prison and ordered to pay a $4,000 fine by United States District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond for unlawfully disclosing to one company the confidential contractor bid, proposal, and source information of another company.

Schuster was a mechanical engineer and “project lead” employed by the United States Department of the Navy (“the Navy”) at the Naval Foundry and Propeller Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (the “NFPC”). The NFPC’s primary mission was to design, manufacture, and repair submarine propellers. In her role with the Navy, Schuster served as a project lead for several multi-million-dollar projects at the NFPC supporting both Columbia Class and Virginia Class naval submarines.

On January 22, 2024, Schuster pleaded guilty to the unlawful disclosure charge in a criminal information that was filed on September 25, 2023. According to that charge, in 2019, Schuster began working as the project lead on a solicitation for a procurement contract for a submarine propeller-making machine known as a VTC. During the contracting and bidding process, Schuster favored one company, identified in the information as “Company 1,” over other competing companies. Schuster urged her superiors to make the contract for this VTC a “sole source” contract for Company 1. That is, she requested that the contracting process should be established in a manner that would ensure that Company 1 would be awarded the procurement contract. The NFPC and DLA agreed to favor Company 1 in this process but did not agree to prevent other companies from pursuing the contract. Rather, they established a process that allowed other contractors to submit information and compete for the contract.

Schuster demonstrated her favoritism for Company 1 in September 2019 when she sent a WhatsApp message to a representative of Company 1 expressing her “loyalty” to Company 1 and attaching to the message Company 2’s confidential and proprietary contractor bid, proposal, and source selection information for its VTC. In a text message to her associate, Schuster expressed that she would be extremely upset if Company 2 obtained the contract for the VTC because she said “it’s not for them,” and that she would “ruin” Company 2 if they interfered with her efforts to help Company 1 obtain the contract. The documents that Schuster provided to this representative of Company 1 were marked “SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION,” “OFFICIAL USE ONLY,” and “[Company 2] Proprietary information.” The documents included cost and pricing data and proprietary information about manufacturing processes and techniques. This disclosure gave Company 1 a competitive advantage over Company 2 and other companies seeking to obtain the VTC contract.

In April 2020, the procurement contract for the VTC was awarded to Company 1 for a total price of $15,254,608.

Schuster's sentence is evidence that we will hold accountable those who enrich themselves at the expense of our armed forces; this kind of corruption impacts us all: the military, taxpayers, and legitimate businesses," said U.S. Attorney Romero. We continue to ask for assistance in identifying and reporting those engaged in this type of activity, as it bolsters the ability to maintain integrity in the procurement process."

“Investigating individuals who corrupt the integrity of Department of Defense (DoD) procurement is a top priority for the DoD Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS). We must help to ensure that the DoD contracting process remains fair and competitive," said Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, DCIS Northeast Field Office. “Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to work with the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who misuse their official positions.”

“It is essential that government procurements are unbiased and devoid of unlawful influence and corruptive practices,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the NCIS Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS and our investigative partners are committed to thoroughly investigating any person or entity that would disrupt the fair and open competition necessary to ensure our warfighters are fully equipped for superiority on the battlefield.”

The case was investigated by the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Economic Crimes Field Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. 

Afghan National Arrested For Plotting An Election Day Terrorist Attack In The Name Of ISIS

The Justice Department released the below information on October 8^th:

The Justice Department today announced charges against a citizen of Afghanistan residing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for conspiring to conduct an Election Day terrorist attack in the United States on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO).

According to a criminal complaint filed today, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, 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. As part of the plot, the defendant allegedly took steps to liquidate his family’s assets, resettle members of his family overseas, acquire AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition, and commit a terrorist attack in the United States.

“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. I am deeply grateful to the public servants of the FBI, National Security Division, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma for their work to disrupt this attack and for the work they do every day to protect our country.”

“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."

“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. “Fighting terrorism remains the top priority of the Justice Department. We will continue to pursue, disrupt, and hold accountable those who plot to commit acts of terrorism against our country and our people.”

According to the criminal complaint, as part of the investigation into Tawhedi, the FBI searched Tawhedi’s phone and obtained communications between Tawhedi and a person who facilitated recruitment, training, and indoctrination of persons who expressed interest in terrorist activity and who Tawhedi understood to be affiliated with ISIS. Tawhedi was also seen in a video recorded on July 20 reading to two children text that describes the rewards a martyr receives in the afterlife. Tawhedi also allegedly accessed, viewed, and saved ISIS propaganda on his iCloud and Google account, participated in pro-ISIS Telegram groups, and contributed to a charity which fronts for and funnels money to ISIS.

The complaint alleges that while liquidating their family’s assets prior to the attack, Tawhedi and his co-conspirator, who is a juvenile, advertised the sale of the family’s personal property on Facebook. At the FBI’s direction, a confidential human source responded to inquire if a computer was still for sale. The FBI source noted that he needed the computer for a new gun business he was starting, which ultimately led Tawhedi and the juvenile to meet with the source and other FBI assets at a rural location to test firearms. Tawhedi expressed interest in purchasing two AK-47 assault rifles, magazines, and ammunition from the source.

According to the criminal complaint, on Oct. 7, Tawhedi and the juvenile met with the FBI assets at a rural location in the Western District of Oklahoma and purchased, received, and took possession of two AK-47 assault rifles, ten magazines, and 500 rounds of ammunition. Upon receipt of the rifles and ammunition, Tawhedi and the juvenile were arrested.

In his seized communications, Tawhedi allegedly indicated that his attack was planned for Election Day, and in a post-arrest interview, Tawhedi allegedly confirmed the attack was planned for Election Day targeting large gatherings of people, during which he and the juvenile were expected to die as martyrs.

Tawhedi was charged with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, and receiving a firearm to be used to commit a felony or a federal crime of terrorism, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years, if convicted.

The case is being investigated by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office, with valuable assistance from the Oklahoma City Police Department and the Moore, Oklahoma Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica L. Perry, Matt Dillon, and Mark Stoneman for the Western District of Oklahoma and Trial Attorneys George C. Kraehe and Everett McMillian of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.