Minh Quang Pham, a Massachusetts resident also known as "Amim," has been sentenced to 44 years in prison with a lifetime of supervised release. The sentence comes after his involvement in a planned suicide bombing linked to al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), an organization recognized as a foreign terrorist group.
Devin DeBacker, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, stated, "The defendant was sentenced for an attempt to commit an act of terrorism and plotting a suicide bombing on behalf of AQAP." He emphasized the Justice Department's commitment to preventing acts that threaten global security.
Assistant Director David J. Scott from the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division highlighted Pham's coordination with Anwar al-Aulaqi, a known terrorist. Scott noted that Pham had plotted an attack at Heathrow International Airport and attempted to recruit others for terrorism. "The FBI will work with our partners to hold accountable those who align themselves with terrorist organizations and attempt to carry out acts of violence," he said.
U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon for the Southern District of New York remarked on the significance of Pham's sentencing: "Today’s sentencing underscores our collective resolve to stop terrorism before it occurs, and place would-be terrorists in prison."
Court documents reveal that in December 2010, while residing in London, Pham traveled from Ireland to Yemen intending to join AQAP and wage jihad. In Yemen, he pledged loyalty to AQAP and received training from Anwar al-Aulaqi. Al-Aulaqi instructed Pham on creating explosive devices using household chemicals for use at Heathrow Airport upon his return to the UK.
In mid-2011, before leaving Yemen, Pham recorded videos promoting violent jihad and expressing his willingness for martyrdom. He also contributed to AQAP's propaganda magazine Inspire alongside Samir Khan.
Upon returning to the UK in July 2011, authorities detained Pham at Heathrow Airport but later released him after finding ammunition on him. Subsequent investigations led U.K. authorities to arrest him under immigration law by December 2011.
Pham faced charges following a grand jury indictment on May 24, 2012. After being extradited from the UK on February 26, 2015, he pleaded guilty in January 2016 and initially received a 40-year sentence by U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan.
Following appeals and legal motions leading up to April 2021 when new charges were filed against him by a grand jury; these formed the basis for his guilty plea and conviction on May 11, 2023.
The investigation involved collaboration between multiple agencies including FBI Washington and New York Field Offices along with international support from entities like Metropolitan Police Service/SO15 Counter Terrorism Command at New Scotland Yard.
Prosecutors included Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob H. Gutwillig for the Southern District of New York and Trial Attorney John Cella from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.