Federal authorities have charged two individuals in connection with an alleged terrorist plot in Michigan that was reportedly planned for the Halloween weekend.
Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud were formally charged on Monday and are accused of acquiring and transferring firearms and ammunition with the knowledge they would be used to commit a federal crime of terrorism. They are set to appear in court later today.
The charges stem from an alleged plot linked to ISIS, where court documents indicate Ali, Mahmoud, and an unnamed juvenile were referenced in encrypted communications discussing plans to conduct a terror attack in the U.S.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the charges on social media, stating, “Our newly unsealed complaint reveals a major ISIS-linked terror plot with multiple subjects arrested in the Eastern District of Michigan targeting the United States.” She added that the subjects allegedly had “multiple AR-15 rifles, tactical gear, and a detailed plan to carry out an attack on American soil.”
According to the complaint, the two men took specific steps to prepare for the alleged attack.
- Mohmed Ali is accused of purchasing a shotgun, an AR-15-style rifle, and several accessories, including a device designed to increase the rate of fire on a semi-automatic weapon.
- Majed Mahmoud reportedly purchased 1,600 rounds of ammunition for use in the AR-15-style rifles during the planned attack.
Court documents also reveal that the individuals allegedly scouted locations for the attack in Ferndale, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, and appeared to have set the date for the attack for Halloween.
Following the foiling of the incident, investigators recovered a significant cache of evidence detailed in court documents. This included:
- Three AR-15-style rifles
- Shotguns and four handguns
- More than 1,600 rounds of rifle ammunition
- Optical sights, two GoPro cameras
- Tactical vests, black tactical backpacks, and 24 empty rifle magazines
The incident was first announced last week by FBI Director Kash Patel, who stated that five people had been arrested in connection with the terror plot. As of Monday, however, the Department of Justice has only filed charges against Ali and Mahmoud. The status of the other individuals initially arrested remains unclear.
The two men face charges involving receiving and transferring—and attempting and conspiring to receive and transfer—firearms and ammunition, knowing they would be used to commit a federal crime of terrorism.
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