Oklahoma City man charged in connection with planned Election Day terror attack, authorities say • Oklahoma Voice

An Oklahoma City man has been charged with planning a terrorist attack on Election Day, the U.S. Department of Justice said Tuesday.

Authorities allege that 27-year-old Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi and an unnamed youth received AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition and conspired to help ISIS carry out an attack, according to a news release.

Authorities said Tawhedi was charged with conspiracy and attempting to provide material support to ISIS, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, as well as possession of a firearm to commit a felony or federal crime of terrorism. If convicted of the latter crime, he could face up to 15 years in prison.

Federal investigators said Tawhedi allegedly admitted that he planned to target large gatherings of people and that the two were expected to “die as martyrs.” Officials said Tawhedi also took steps to liquidate his family’s assets and relocate his relatives abroad.

It was unclear Tuesday evening whether he had an attorney.

The complaint alleges that Tawhedi and a teenage co-conspirator advertised the sale of personal property on Facebook. A confidential source asked if a computer was still for sale, which eventually led Tawhedi and the teens to meet the buyer in a rural location to test firearms.

On Monday, Tawhedi and the teen met with an FBI agent at a rural property and purchased and received two AK-47 assault rifles, 10 magazines and 500 rounds of ammunition, the criminal complaint says.

Authorities then arrested Tawhedi and the teen.

“Thanks to the tireless efforts of the FBI, the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, and federal prosecutors in my office, the alleged plan to carry out an attack on Election Day was foiled and Mr. Tawhedi was arrested,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma in a statement. “The fight against terrorism remains the Justice Department’s top priority. We will continue to pursue, disrupt and hold accountable those who plot terrorist attacks against our country and our people

U.S. Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma said in a statement that Tawhedi was an Afghan refugee. The Republican said he has been in direct contact with the FBI about the case for some time.

“The indictment of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi in Oklahoma for planning an Election Day terrorist attack on U.S. soil is a stark reminder that our nation continues to face threats from those who hate our freedom and wish to do us harm,” he said . “I am grateful to the FBI, particularly the FBI Oklahoma Field Office, and our local law enforcement agencies for their vigilance and commitment to protecting our communities. Your quick action prevented a devastating attack.”