FBI arrests man in Oklahoma for conspiring to carry out ISIS-inspired attack on Election Day

WASHINGTON (TNND) — A 27-year-old Afghan man living in Oklahoma was arrested on charges of conspiring to carry out a terrorist attack in the United States on Election Day, according to the Justice Department.

The man was identified Tuesday as Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, the Justice Department noted in a news release.

The Justice Department said he planned the attack on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, commonly known as the terrorist organization ISIS.

“This ISIS-motivated defendant allegedly conspired to commit a violent attack on Election Day here in our homeland,” FBI Director Christopher Wray noted in the press release. “I am proud of the men and women of the FBI who uncovered the following,” stopping the conspiracy before anyone got hurt. Terrorism remains the FBI’s top priority and we will use all resources to protect the American people.”

As part of the conspiracy, the DOJ said, the FBI learned that Tawhedi allegedly took steps to liquidate his family’s assets, relocate his family members abroad, and stockpile AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition and then commit the attack.

After his arrest, Tawhedi told investigators that he had planned an attack on Nov. 5 that would target large gatherings of people, the release said.

“We will continue to combat the ongoing threat that ISIS and its supporters pose to America’s national security, and we will identify, investigate and prosecute those who seek to terrorize the American people.” “I am the officer of the FBI “We are deeply grateful to the National Security Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma for their work to prevent this attack and for the work they do every day to keep our country safe,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.