Latest news with #AbdullahHajiZada
Business Mayor
24-04-2025
- Business Mayor
USCIS Assists FBI Investigation Leading to Guilty Plea in ISIS-Inspired Election Day Terror Plot
OKLAHOMA CITY — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) played a critical role in an FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) investigation that brought a would-be terrorist to justice. The investigation resulted in an Afghan national pleading guilty to federal terrorism-related firearms charges in connection with a planned Election Day attack inspired by ISIS. Abdullah Haji Zada, 18, a lawful permanent resident originally from Afghanistan, pleaded guilty to knowingly receiving, attempting to receive, and conspiring to receive firearms and ammunition with the intent to commit a federal crime of terrorism. Court documents reveal that Zada and co-conspirator Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, obtained two AK-47-style rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition for a planned November 2024 terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS. Zada, who was 17 at the time of his arrest in October 2024, entered his plea as an adult and faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. As part of his plea agreement, he will also be removed to Afghanistan after serving his sentence and has waived all rights to appeal or seek asylum. USCIS's Oklahoma City-based Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) JTTF Liaison provided key immigration law expertise to federal and local law enforcement partners during the investigation. USCIS' FDNS officers focus on identifying potential national security and public safety threats in collaboration with law enforcement and intelligence agencies. FDNS safeguards the integrity of the nation's immigration system and ensures that immigration benefits are not granted to individuals that may pose a threat to national security or public safety. The FBI Oklahoma City Field Office's Joint Terrorism Task Force includes USCIS, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Marshals Service, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and multiple local law enforcement agencies. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Oklahoma and the Justice Department's National Security Division. For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn.
The Independent
17-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Afghan teenager charged in Oklahoma plot for Election Day attack pleads guilty
An Afghan teenager accused of taking part in an Oklahoma plot to carry out an Election Day attack has pleaded guilty, federal prosecutors said Thursday. Abdullah Haji Zada, 18, a citizen of Afghanistan who was living in Moore, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to knowingly receiving and conspiring to receive a firearm and ammunition to be used in a terrorist attack, court records show. Zada, who was 17 at the time of his arrest, is awaiting sentencing and faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Zada also agreed to be removed from the United States after he is released from prison, court records show. Telephone and email messages left on Thursday with Zada's attorney, Jeff Byers, were not immediately returned. Zada's co-defendant, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, who previously worked as a security guard for an American military installation in Afghanistan, is currently awaiting trial for conspiring and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State group. Prosecutors allege Zada and Tawhedi took steps to obtain AK-47 rifles and ammunition and planned to carry out an attack targeting large crowds on Election Day last year.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alleged Election Day terror plot co-conspirator pleads guilty in federal court
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — An 18-year-old Afghan national accused of attempting to purchase guns in Oklahoma as part of an Election Day terrorist plot in October 2024 pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday. Abdullah Haji Zada, 18, was arrested by FBI agents in October along with Nasir Tawhedi for allegedly attempting to purchase two AK-47s, ten magazines and 500 rounds of ammunition in an unspecified rural location in Oklahoma, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Tawhedi, who pleaded not guilty in November, is currently awaiting trial on charges of conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS and attempting to receive, or conspiring to receive a firearm to be used to commit a felony or a federal crime of terrorism. Election Day terror plot suspect pleads not guilty Zada, who was 17 years old at the time of his arrest, was previously a student at Southmoore High School. He is also a native and citizen of Afghanistan, and a U.S. lawful permanent resident. The DOJ says Zada would be removed from the U.S. and sent to Afghanistan following his prison sentence as part of a plea agreement, and lose his lawful permanent resident status as a result. Zada faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine at sentencing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Afghan teenager charged in Oklahoma plot for Election Day attack pleads guilty
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Afghan teenager accused of taking part in an Oklahoma plot to carry out an Election Day attack has pleaded guilty, federal prosecutors said Thursday. Abdullah Haji Zada, 18, a citizen of Afghanistan who was living in Moore, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to knowingly receiving and conspiring to receive a firearm and ammunition to be used in a terrorist attack, court records show. Zada, who was 17 at the time of his arrest, is awaiting sentencing and faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Zada also agreed to be removed from the United States after he is released from prison, court records show. Telephone and email messages left on Thursday with Zada's attorney, Jeff Byers, were not immediately returned. Zada's co-defendant, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, who previously worked as a security guard for an American military installation in Afghanistan, is currently awaiting trial for conspiring and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State group. Prosecutors allege Zada and Tawhedi took steps to obtain AK-47 rifles and ammunition and planned to carry out an attack targeting large crowds on Election Day last year.
Associated Press
17-04-2025
- Associated Press
Afghan teenager charged in Oklahoma plot for Election Day attack pleads guilty
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Afghan teenager accused of taking part in an Oklahoma plot to carry out an Election Day attack has pleaded guilty, federal prosecutors said Thursday. Abdullah Haji Zada, 18, a citizen of Afghanistan who was living in Moore, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to knowingly receiving and conspiring to receive a firearm and ammunition to be used in a terrorist attack, court records show. Zada, who was 17 at the time of his arrest, is awaiting sentencing and faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Zada also agreed to be removed from the United States after he is released from prison, court records show. Telephone and email messages left on Thursday with Zada's attorney, Jeff Byers, were not immediately returned. Zada's co-defendant, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, who previously worked as a security guard for an American military installation in Afghanistan, is currently awaiting trial for conspiring and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State group. Prosecutors allege Zada and Tawhedi took steps to obtain AK-47 rifles and ammunition and planned to carry out an attack targeting large crowds on Election Day last year.
