Abdullah Haji Zada, 19, was sentenced to 15 years in US federal prison after plotting an ISIS-inspired terror attack during the 2024 US presidential election, the US Department of Justice said on Wednesday.
Zada, an Afghan citizen and a lawful US permanent resident, was convicted for "knowingly receiving, attempting to receive, and conspiring to receive a firearm and ammunition to be used to commit a federal crime of terrorism," according to court documents. The suspect received his sentence from US District Judge Scott L. Palk.
According to court documents, Zada and Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 28, received AK-47 style rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition, reported the US Department of Justice. The suspects had received the instruments with knowledge of their use in connection with a terrorist attack on US Election Day in November 2024.
The defendants were planning the attack on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a well-known worldwide terror organization.
"Zada was welcomed into the United States and provided with all the opportunities available to residents of our Nation, yet he chose to embrace terrorism and plot an ISIS-inspired attack on Election Day,” said John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security.
“Today’s sentence, and Zada’s eventual removal from the United States, reflect the seriousness of his betrayal and our commitment to using every tool at our disposal to detect and disrupt such plots.”
FBI Nabs ISIS plotter; Zada gets 15 years
“By hatching a violent plot against the United States on behalf of ISIS, the defendant and his co-conspirator shamefully turned their backs on the country that provided them safety and refuge,” FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater said.
“I’m extremely proud of the swift and coordinated action taken by the Oklahoma City Joint Terrorism Task Force as soon as this disturbing plan was uncovered. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will never relent in our fight against terrorism, and in protecting the American people from those who wish them harm.”
At the time of his arrest, Zada, who was 17, faced not only the risk of receiving a maximum penalty of 15 years in a federal prison, which actually happened in the end, but also a $250,000 fine.
Per the plea agreement, Zada agreed to be deported to Afghanistan after serving his prison sentence and acknowledged that the order of his removal would render his lawful permanent resident status void.
Along with waiving his right to appeal the conviction, with limited exceptions, Zada specifically waived his right to appeal his deportation, including his asylum claim.
Zada's partner is also currently awaiting trial
Zada's co-conspirator, Tawhedi, has been charged with "conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS, and receiving, attempting to receive, or conspiring to receive a firearm to be used to commit a felony or a federal crime of terrorism," which can carry a combined maximum penalty of 35 years in prison if convicted.
Tawhedi is currently awaiting trial and is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.