An 18-year-old Afghan national and U.S. permanent resident, Abdullah Haji Zada, has pleaded guilty to serious terrorism-related charges. This case has caught national attention due to the young age of the accused and the involvement of a dangerous global terror group. Let’s break down the case in simple terms.
Who is Abdullah Haji Zada?
Zada is originally from Afghanistan but was living in the United States as a lawful permanent resident. In October 2024, when he was 17, he was arrested for his involvement in a terror plot connected to ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham), a known terrorist group.
What Did He Do?
According to official court records, Zada worked with another man, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, to plan a terrorist attack during the U.S. elections in November 2024. Together, they received two AK-47-style rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition. These weapons were intended to be used in a terrorist act, which they planned to carry out in support of ISIS.
Legal Action and Plea Deal
Zada pleaded guilty in court to three main charges:
- Receiving firearms and ammunition
- Attempting to receive firearms and ammunition
- Conspiring to commit a terrorist act with those weapons
He admitted that he knew the weapons would be used for a terrorist attack. Even though he was 17 at the time of his arrest, he is being sentenced as an adult.
Under the plea deal, he agreed to be deported back to Afghanistan after serving his sentence. This means he will lose his U.S. permanent resident status and cannot stay in the country once his prison term is over. He also gave up the right to challenge his conviction or deportation, including the option to apply for asylum.
What Penalty Could He Face?
Zada now faces up to 15 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The final sentence will be decided by the court.
What About His Co-Conspirator?
Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, aged 27, is also from Afghanistan and is currently awaiting trial. He is accused of providing support to ISIS and trying to get weapons for a terrorist act. If found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison for supporting ISIS and 15 years for the firearms charge.
Tawhedi is still considered innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Who Is Handling the Case?
The case is being led by several federal and local agencies. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Oklahoma, with help from agencies like Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals, and local police departments, has been deeply involved in the investigation. Several experienced attorneys from the Justice Department and local U.S. Attorney’s Office are prosecuting the case.
This case highlights how serious the U.S. government is about stopping domestic terrorism and protecting national security. Even young individuals involved in such dangerous activities are facing strict punishment. Authorities have made it clear that any support to terrorist organizations like ISIS will not be tolerated, no matter the age of the person involved.
It also reminds us how important law enforcement coordination is in identifying and stopping threats before they become deadly attacks. While Zada’s sentencing will happen soon, the investigation into ISIS-related threats continues across the country.
Democrats had pleaded to bring those terrorists back home to the USA in solidarity with them.