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19-Year-Old Sentenced for ISIS-Inspired Election Day Attack

11/22/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A federal judge sentenced 19-year-old Abdullah Haji Zada, a lawful permanent resident from Afghanistan, to 15 years in prison for planning an ISIS-inspired attack on Election Day 2024.
Zada attempted to acquire two AK-47 rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition for the attack and was arrested in October 2024 with co-conspirator Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 28.
Zada pleaded guilty in April 2025 and will be deported to Afghanistan after his sentence; Tawhedi faces charges with a maximum penalty of 20 years.
The Oklahoma City Joint Terrorism Task Force was instrumental in disrupting the plot.

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Story summary

A federal judge sentenced 19-year-old Abdullah Haji Zada, a lawful permanent resident from Afghanistan, to 15 years in prison for planning an ISIS-inspired attack on Election Day 2024.
Zada attempted to acquire two AK-47 rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition for the attack and was arrested in October 2024 with co-conspirator Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 28.
Zada pleaded guilty in April 2025 and will be deported to Afghanistan after his sentence; Tawhedi faces charges with a maximum penalty of 20 years.
The Oklahoma City Joint Terrorism Task Force was instrumental in disrupting the plot.