Abdullah Haji Zada, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. from Afghanistan, has admitted guilt in acquiring firearms for a planned ISIS-inspired terrorist attack on Election Day 2024. Zada, who was 17 at the time of his arrest, was charged with knowingly receiving firearms and ammunition meant for a federal crime of terrorism. Court documents indicate Zada and his alleged partner, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, received two AK-47-style rifles and 500 rounds of ammo, which were intended for an attack in support of ISIS.
Having entered the guilty plea as an adult, Zada is facing up to 15 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Zada will also be subject to deportation to Afghanistan, ending his lawful permanent residency, according to the plea agreement. Further, Zada has waived his rights to appeal the conviction or seek relief from deportation.
Co-conspirator Tawhedi, also from Afghanistan, is awaiting trial on charges of conspiring to provide material support to ISIS and receiving firearms for terrorism. His charges could lead to 20 years in prison. The indictment does not imply guilt and Tawhedi is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force with the involvement of various federal and local law enforcement agencies. The case is prosecuted by a team of Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Western District of Oklahoma and trial attorneys from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
"Abdullah Haji Zada, 18, a native and citizen of Afghanistan and U.S. lawful permanent resident, pleaded guilty today to a criminal information charging him with knowingly receiving, attempting to receive, and conspiring to receive a firearm and ammunition to be used to commit a federal crime of terrorism."
"Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma, and Assistant Director David J. Scott of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division made the announcement."
This case remains under investigation, highlighting ongoing efforts to detect and prevent terrorist activities within the United States.