Afghan man, 27, admits to foiled Election Day terror plot

Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi admitted to allegations that he conspired to conduct a mass shooting in the United States on behalf of the Islamic State group, according to a Friday release from the Department of Justice. Tawhedi pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide material support to the terror group and attempting to obtain firearms and ammunition in furtherance of a federal crime of terrorism. More specifically he admitted to conspiring to purchase two AK-47 rifles, 500 rounds of ammunition, and 10 magazines to carry out a mass terror attack around the 2024 Election Day for the Islamic State group, according to the DOJ. Tawhedi pledged allegiance to a terror group and plotted to attack innocent Americans on Election Day, betraying the country that gave him refuge, Attorney General Pamela Bondi said. Justice officials have a zero-tolerance policy against those who exploit American freedoms for violent ends, she added.

What will happen to him now? Tawhedi awaits sentencing and may face up to 20 years for supporting the Islamic State group and 15 years on the firearms charge. After completing his sentence, Tawhedi will be stripped of his immigration status, permanently removed from the United States, and returned to Afghanistan, according to the DOJ. Officials arrested Tawhedi and his co-conspirator, Abdullah Haji Zada, in October after the pair purchased the firearms and ammunition from an undercover FBI agent. Zada, who was a minor at the time of his arrest, entered a guilty plea and will be sentenced as an adult, according to the DOJ.

Tawhedi’s case is a good warning to anyone who tries to attack the American homeland, FBI Director Kash Patel said. The FBI and other law enforcement stopped the attack before it could happen, proving that anyone guilty of committing or planning to commit terror will be found and brought to justice, he added.

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Canterberry’s report for more background on Tawhedi’s charges and arrest.