Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (October 9, 2024) – The Department of Justice announced today that a citizen of Afghanistan residing in Oklahoma City has been charged with conspiring to conduct a terrorist attack on Election Day in the United States on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).

Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, allegedly plotted to acquire firearms and ammunition and carry out a violent attack on U.S. soil in the name of ISIS. As part of the conspiracy, Tawhedi took steps to liquidate his family’s assets, relocate his family members overseas, and obtain AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated, “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.” He emphasized the department’s commitment to combating terrorism and protecting the American people.

FBI Director Christopher Wray commended the FBI agents who uncovered and stopped the plot, stating, “Terrorism is still the FBI’s number one priority, and we will use every resource to protect the American people.”

U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma praised the relentless efforts of the FBI, National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, and federal prosecutors in disrupting the alleged plan and arresting Tawhedi.

According to the criminal complaint, the FBI investigated Tawhedi and obtained communications between him and an ISIS-affiliated individual who facilitated recruitment, training, and indoctrination of potential terrorists.

Tawhedi was also seen in a video reading text to children that described the rewards of martyrdom in the afterlife. Additionally, he allegedly accessed, viewed, and saved ISIS propaganda, participated in pro-ISIS Telegram groups, and contributed to a charity that funds ISIS.

As part of his preparations for the attack, Tawhedi and his co-conspirator, a juvenile, advertised the sale of their family’s personal property on Facebook. An undercover FBI agent responded to the advertisement, posing as a potential buyer of a computer for a new gun business. This interaction led to a meeting between Tawhedi, the juvenile, and FBI assets at a rural location to test firearms. Tawhedi expressed interest in purchasing AK-47 assault rifles, magazines, and ammunition.

On October 7th, Tawhedi and the juvenile met with the FBI assets and purchased two AK-47 assault rifles, ten magazines, and 500 rounds of ammunition. They were subsequently arrested.

Tawhedi’s seized communications indicated that he planned to target large gatherings of people on Election Day, aiming to die as a martyr. He 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.

The case is being investigated by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office, with 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.