Patrick Eugene Stein is an American convicted of plotting to bomb an apartment complex in Garden City, Kansas, where Muslims from Somalia lived and worshipped.Roxana Hegeman, “Militia members get decades in prison in Kansas bomb plot,” Star Tribune, January 25, 2019, http://www.startribune.com/3-militia-members-face-sentencing-in-kansas-bomb-plot/504848242/. Following an 8-month-long FBI investigation, Stein was arrested on October 14, 2016 and charged with one count of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction.“Three Southwest Kansas Men Charged With Plotting to Bomb Somali Immigrants,” Department of Justice, October 14, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/three-southwest-kansas-men-charged-plotting-bomb-somali-immigrants. He and two-conspirators were also later charged with one count of conspiracy against rights. The U.S. Department of Justice considers the charge a hate crime because Stein sought to interfere with residents’ rights due to their race, national origin, and religion.Mitch Smith, “Racist Terror Plot, or Just Idle Talk? Kansas Trial Hinges on the Answer,” New York Times, April 16, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/16/us/kansas-militia-somali-bomb-plot.html. On January 25, 2019, U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren sentenced Stein to 30 years in prison for the plot and 10 years for conspiracy against rights.Roxana Hegeman, “Militia members get decades in prison in Kansas bomb plot,” Star Tribune, January 25, 2019, http://www.startribune.com/3-militia-members-face-sentencing-in-kansas-bomb-plot/504848242/.

Stein and his co-conspirators, Curtis Wayne Allen and Gavin Wayne Wright, called themselves “the Crusaders,” of which Stein allegedly served as ringleader.Roxana Hegeman, “Militia members get decades in prison in Kansas bomb plot,” Star Tribune, January 25, 2019, http://www.startribune.com/3-militia-members-face-sentencing-in-kansas-bomb-plot/504848242/. The group’s members espoused sovereign citizen, anti-government, anti-Muslim, and anti-immigrant extremist beliefs.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 2, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download. The Crusaders were reportedly a subgroup of the anti-government militia Kansas Security Forces (KSF).Oliver Laughland, “Kansas town reels months after foiled mosque bombing: ‘I’m still scared’,” Guardian, February 22, 201, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/22/kansas-mosque-bomb-plot-muslims-hate-groups. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the KSF shares its name with a larger anti-government coalition called the Three Percent Security Force, which claims to have chapters in several states.Stephen Piggott, “3 Men Arrested in Plot to Bomb Kansas Apartment Complex, Mosque Following Election,” Southern Poverty Law Center, October 14, 2016, https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2016/10/14/3-men-arrested-plot-bomb-kansas-apartment-complex-mosque-following-presidential-election. During the trial of Allen, Stein, and Wright, members of KSF testified that they believed the three men were too extreme.Christopher Mathias and Ryan J. Reilly, “These Pro-Trump Extremists Had a Plan To Kill Muslims. How Were They Radicalized?,” Huffington Post, April 18, 2018, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/domestic-terrorism-trial-kansas-trump-militia_n_5ad4e700e4b0edca2cbcb603. The FBI informant said other militia members did not want to join the plot because they believed it would result in everyone “thrown in jail and give militias a bad name.”“Accused Terrorists Were So Extreme They Scared Other Anti-Muslim Bigots,” Huffington Post, March 31, 2018, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kansas-terror-plot-militia_n_5abd0e8ce4b03e2a5c7a53c9?ncid=engmodushpmg00000004.

According to an FBI affidavit, Stein and members of the KSF maintained daily contact over Zello, a mobile app that simulates a push-to-talk walkie-talkie function.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Affidavit in Support of Application for the First Extension of a Mobile Tracker, (D. Kan. 2016), 3 https://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/kansas-affidavit-extended.pdf. A Twitter account known as American Patriot was reportedly linked to Stein and shared anti-Muslim content.Christopher Mathias and Ryan J. Reilly, “These Pro-Trump Extremists Had a Plan To Kill Muslims. How Were They Radicalized?,” Huffington Post, April 18, 2018, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/domestic-terrorism-trial-kansas-trump-militia_n_5ad4e700e4b0edca2cbcb603.

Stein may have been inspired in part by Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. He discussed the 1995 attack with a confidential FBI source, and expressed interest in the explosives used to bomb the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 5, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download. Stein may have also been motivated by the death of Robert “LaVoy” Finicum, a leader in the anti-government occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. Police shot Finicum on January 26, 2016 as he was reaching for his handgun, and when discussing the incident during a meeting of a few KSF members in June 2016, Stein states that “no patriot fired a shot in response to the killing of Lavoy Finicum.”Stephen Piggott, “3 Men Arrested in Plot to Bomb Kansas Apartment Complex, Mosque Following Election,” Southern Poverty Law Center, October 14, 2016, https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2016/10/14/3-men-arrested-plot-bomb-kansas-apartment-complex-mosque-following-presidential-election; “In the Aftermath of LaVoy Finnicum’s Death, Growing Number of Rallies Push Martyrdom Narrative,” Southern Poverty Law Center, May 2, 2016, https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2016/05/03/aftermath-lavoy-finicums-death-growing-number-rallies-push-martyrdom-narrative; United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Affidavit in Support of Application for the First Extension of a Mobile Tracker, (D. Kan. 2016), 3 https://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/kansas-affidavit-extended.pdf.

In June 2016, Stein convened a meeting with the Crusaders and discussed the need to respond to the June 2016 shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. The next month, the three co-conspirators and a confidential FBI source met at G&G Mobile Home Center, a business owned by Wright and where Allen worked.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 6, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download. During the meeting, Stein and Allen suggested various targets for an attack, including Muslim-occupied residences and places of worship, city or county commission meetings, public officials, landlords leasing property to Muslims, and organizations providing aid to Muslim refugees.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 7-8, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download.

The three men eventually settled on a plot to attack an apartment complex in Garden City, Kansas, where most of the 120 residents are Muslims from Somalia.Reuters, “Kansas men aimed to kill as many Somalis as possible in terror plot, prosecutor says,” Guardian, April 17, 2018, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/17/kansas-terror-plot-men-kill-somalian-muslims-hate-court-claims. The complex served as a hub for the Somali community and one of the apartments was used as a makeshift mosque.Mitch Smith, “Racist Terror Plot, or Just Idle Talk? Kansas Trial Hinges on the Answer,” New York Times, April 16, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/16/us/kansas-militia-somali-bomb-plot.html. Stein, Allen, and Wright began to stockpile weapons and supplies for explosives. They surveilled the apartment complex and planned to blow it up while residents were praying.Christopher Mathias and Ryan J. Reilly, “These Pro-Trump Extremists Had a Plan To Kill Muslims. How Were They Radicalized?,” Huffington Post, April 18, 2018, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/domestic-terrorism-trial-kansas-trump-militia_n_5ad4e700e4b0edca2cbcb603.

During the course of the FBI’s investigation, Stein was introduced to an undercover agent who pretended to be able to provide automatic weapons and components for explosive devices to the group.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 9, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download. On October 12, 2016, Stein met with the undercover agent at a rural location in Finney County, Kansas, and tested automatic weapons. Stein then inquired about the prices for those weapons and discussed trading drugs for explosives.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 10, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download. Stein also stated that he and his co-conspirators already had ammonium nitrate for a bomb and would be able to contribute between $200 and $300 for other materials.“Three Southwest Kansas Men Charged With Plotting to Bomb Somali Immigrants,” Department of Justice, October 14, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/three-southwest-kansas-men-charged-plotting-bomb-somali-immigrants. He told the agent that Wright and Allen had previously mixed explosives at G&G Mobile Home Center. Stein also brought the undercover agent to the location of the Garden City apartment complex, which he described as “full of goddamn cockroaches.”United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 10, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download.

During his sentencing hearing on January 25, 2019, Stein apologized only to his family and friends but showed no remorse for the bomb plot.Roxana Hegeman, “Militia members get decades in prison in Kansas bomb plot,” Star Tribune, January 25, 2019, http://www.startribune.com/3-militia-members-face-sentencing-in-kansas-bomb-plot/504848242/. On January 25, 2019, Stein was sentenced to 30 years in prison for conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and 10 years for conspiracy against rights, to be served simultaneously.Roxana Hegeman, “Militia members get decades in prison in Kansas bomb plot,” Star Tribune, January 25, 2019, http://www.startribune.com/3-militia-members-face-sentencing-in-kansas-bomb-plot/504848242/.

Gavin Wayne Wright is an American convicted of plotting to bomb an apartment complex in Garden City, Kansas, where Muslims from Somalia lived and worshipped.Roxana Hegeman, “Militia members get decades in prison in Kansas bomb plot,” Star Tribune, January 25, 2019, http://www.startribune.com/3-militia-members-face-sentencing-in-kansas-bomb-plot/504848242/. Following an 8-month-long FBI investigation, Wright was arrested on October 14, 2016 and charged with one count of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction.“Three Southwest Kansas Men Charged With Plotting to Bomb Somali Immigrants,” Department of Justice, October 14, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/three-southwest-kansas-men-charged-plotting-bomb-somali-immigrants. He and two co-conspirators were also later charged with one count of conspiracy against rights. The U.S. Department of Justice considers the charge a hate crime because Wright sought to interfere with residents’ housing rights due to their race, national origin, and religion.Mitch Smith, “Racist Terror Plot, or Just Idle Talk? Kansas Trial Hinges on the Answer,” New York Times, April 16, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/16/us/kansas-militia-somali-bomb-plot.html. On January 25, 2019, U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren sentenced Wright to 26 years in prison.Roxana Hegeman, “Militia members get decades in prison in Kansas bomb plot,” Star Tribune, January 25, 2019, http://www.startribune.com/3-militia-members-face-sentencing-in-kansas-bomb-plot/504848242/.

Wright and his co-conspirators, Curtis Wayne Allen and Patrick Eugene Stein, called themselves “the Crusaders.” The group’s members espoused sovereign citizen, anti-government, anti-Muslim, and anti-immigrant extremist beliefs.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 2, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download. The Crusaders were reportedly a subgroup of the anti-government militia Kansas Security Forces (KSF).Oliver Laughland, “Kansas town reels months after foiled mosque bombing: ‘I’m still scared’,” Guardian, February 22, 201, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/22/kansas-mosque-bomb-plot-muslims-hate-groups. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the KSF shares its name with a larger anti-government coalition called the Three Percent Security Force, which claims to have chapters in several states.Stephen Piggott, “3 Men Arrested in Plot to Bomb Kansas Apartment Complex, Mosque Following Election,” Southern Poverty Law Center, October 14, 2016, https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2016/10/14/3-men-arrested-plot-bomb-kansas-apartment-complex-mosque-following-presidential-election. During the trial of Allen, Stein, and Wright, members of KSF testified that they believed the three men were too extreme.Christopher Mathias and Ryan J. Reilly, “These Pro-Trump Extremists Had a Plan To Kill Muslims. How Were They Radicalized?,” Huffington Post, April 18, 2018, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/domestic-terrorism-trial-kansas-trump-militia_n_5ad4e700e4b0edca2cbcb603. The FBI informant said other militia members did not want to join the plot because they believed it would result in everyone “thrown in jail and give militias a bad name.”“Accused Terrorists Were So Extreme They Scared Other Anti-Muslim Bigots,” Huffington Post, March 31, 2018, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kansas-terror-plot-militia_n_5abd0e8ce4b03e2a5c7a53c9?ncid=engmodushpmg00000004.

According to an FBI affidavit, members of the KSF—including Wright, Stein, and Allen—maintained daily contact over Zello, a mobile app that simulates a push-to-talk walkie-talkie function.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Affidavit in Support of Application for the First Extension of a Mobile Tracker, (D. Kan. 2016), 3 https://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/kansas-affidavit-extended.pdf.

In June 2016, Stein convened a meeting with the Crusaders and discussed the need to respond to the June 2016 shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. The next month, the three co-conspirators and a confidential FBI source met at G&G Mobile Home Center, a business owned by Wright and where Allen worked.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 6, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download. During the meeting, Stein and Allen suggested various targets for an attack, including Muslim-occupied residences and places of worship, city or county commission meetings, public officials, landlords leasing property to Muslims, and organizations providing aid to Muslim refugees.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 7-8, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download. According to the criminal complaint, Wright opened up Google Maps on his computer and began marking these various locations on the map and labeled them “cockroaches.” Before the meeting, Wright had also researched guides for making explosives.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 2, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download.

The three men eventually settled on a plot to attack an apartment complex in Garden City, Kansas, where most of the 120 residents are Muslims from Somalia.Reuters, “Kansas men aimed to kill as many Somalis as possible in terror plot, prosecutor says,” Guardian, April 17, 2018, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/17/kansas-terror-plot-men-kill-somalian-muslims-hate-court-claims. The complex served as a hub for the Somali community and one of the apartments was used as a makeshift mosque.Mitch Smith, “Racist Terror Plot, or Just Idle Talk? Kansas Trial Hinges on the Answer,” New York Times, April 16, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/16/us/kansas-militia-somali-bomb-plot.html. Wright, Stein, and Allen began to stockpile weapons and supplies for explosives, and surveilled the apartment complex.Christopher Mathias and Ryan J. Reilly, “These Pro-Trump Extremists Had a Plan To Kill Muslims. How Were They Radicalized?,” Huffington Post, April 18, 2018, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/domestic-terrorism-trial-kansas-trump-militia_n_5ad4e700e4b0edca2cbcb603.

Wright and Stein were arrested on October 14, 2016 and charged on federal charges including one count of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction. Allen, who had been arrested earlier on October 11, was also charged with one count of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction.Stephen Piggott, “3 Men Arrested in Plot to Bomb Kansas Apartment Complex, Mosque Following Presidential Election,” Southern Poverty Law Center, October 14, 2016, https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2016/10/14/3-men-arrested-plot-bomb-kansas-apartment-complex-mosque-following-presidential-election; “Three Southwest Kansas Men Charged With Plotting to Bomb Somali Immigrants,” Department of Justice, October 14, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/three-southwest-kansas-men-charged-plotting-bomb-somali-immigrants. The group was later charged with conspiracy to violate the housing rights of intended victims based on their race, national origin, and religion, which is considered a federal hate crime.“Three Southwest Kansas Men Convicted of Plotting to bomb Somali Immigrants in Garden City,” Department of Justice, April 18, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/three-southwest-kansas-men-convicted-plotting-bomb-somali-immigrants-garden-city. Wright and his co-conspirators were convicted on both charges on April 18, 2018.“Three Southwest Kansas Men Convicted of Plotting to Bomb Somali Immigrants in Garden City,” Department of Justice, April 18, 2018,  https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/three-southwest-kansas-men-convicted-plotting-bomb-somali-immigrants-garden-city. He also was convicted of lying to the FBI.“Three Southwest Kansas Men Convicted of Plotting to Bomb Somali Immigrants in Garden City,” Department of Justice, April 18, 2018,  https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/three-southwest-kansas-men-convicted-plotting-bomb-somali-immigrants-garden-city. On January 25, 2019, Wright was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the bombing plot and 10 years for charges related to violation of rights, to be served concurrently, and an additional year for lying to law enforcement.Roxana Hegeman, “Militia members get decades in prison in Kansas bomb plot,” Star Tribune, January 25, 2019, http://www.startribune.com/3-militia-members-face-sentencing-in-kansas-bomb-plot/504848242/.

Curtis Wayne Allen is an American convicted of plotting to bomb an apartment complex in Garden City, Kansas, where Muslims from Somalia lived and worshipped.Roxana Hegeman, “Militia members get decades in prison in Kansas bomb plot,” Star Tribune, January 25, 2019, http://www.startribune.com/3-militia-members-face-sentencing-in-kansas-bomb-plot/504848242/. Allen was detained on October 11, 2016 on domestic violence charges. Then three days later, he and two co-conspirators were charged with one count of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, following an 8-month-long FBI investigation into the group’s activities.“Three Southwest Kansas Men Charged With Plotting to Bomb Somali Immigrants,” Department of Justice, October 14, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/three-southwest-kansas-men-charged-plotting-bomb-somali-immigrants. The men were also later charged with one count of conspiracy against rights. The U.S. Department of Justice considers the charge a hate crime because Allen sought to interfere with the residents’ housing rights due to their race, national origin, and religion.Mitch Smith, “Racist Terror Plot, or Just Idle Talk? Kansas Trial Hinges on the Answer,” New York Times, April 16, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/16/us/kansas-militia-somali-bomb-plot.html. On January 25, 2019, Allen was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the weapons of mass destruction charge and 10 years for the civil rights violation charge, to be served concurrently.“Three Southwest Kansas Men Sentenced to Prison for Plotting to bomb Somali Immigrants in Garden City,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 25, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/three-southwest-kansas-men-sentenced-prison-plotting-bomb-somali-immigrants-garden-city.

Allen and his co-conspirators, Patrick Eugene Stein and Gavin Wayne Wright, called themselves “the Crusaders.” The group’s members espoused sovereign citizen, anti-government, anti-Muslim, and anti-immigrant extremist beliefs.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 2, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download. The Crusaders were reportedly a subgroup of the anti-government militia Kansas Security Forces (KSF).Oliver Laughland, “Kansas town reels months after foiled mosque bombing: ‘I’m still scared’,” Guardian, February 22, 201, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/22/kansas-mosque-bomb-plot-muslims-hate-groups. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the KSF shares its name with a larger anti-government coalition called the Three Percent Security Force, which claims to have chapters in several states.Stephen Piggott, “3 Men Arrested in Plot to Bomb Kansas Apartment Complex, Mosque Following Election,” Southern Poverty Law Center, October 14, 2016, https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2016/10/14/3-men-arrested-plot-bomb-kansas-apartment-complex-mosque-following-presidential-election. During the trial of Allen, Stein, and Wright, members of KSF testified that they believed the three men were too extreme.Christopher Mathias and Ryan J. Reilly, “These Pro-Trump Extremists Had a Plan To Kill Muslims. How Were They Radicalized?,” Huffington Post, April 18, 2018, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/domestic-terrorism-trial-kansas-trump-militia_n_5ad4e700e4b0edca2cbcb603. The FBI informant said other militia members did not want to join the plot because they believed it would result in everyone “thrown in jail and give militias a bad name.”“Accused Terrorists Were So Extreme They Scared Other Anti-Muslim Bigots,” Huffington Post, March 31, 2018, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kansas-terror-plot-militia_n_5abd0e8ce4b03e2a5c7a53c9?ncid=engmodushpmg00000004.

According to an FBI affidavit, members of the KSF—including Allen, Wright, and Stein—maintained daily contact over Zello, a mobile app that simulates a push-to-talk walkie-talkie function.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Affidavit in Support of Application for the First Extension of a Mobile Tracker, (D. Kan. 2016), 3 https://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/kansas-affidavit-extended.pdf. Allen also shared anti-Muslim content via Facebook.Christopher Mathias and Ryan J. Reilly, “These Pro-Trump Extremists Had a Plan To Kill Muslims. How Were They Radicalized?,” Huffington Post, April 18, 2018, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/domestic-terrorism-trial-kansas-trump-militia_n_5ad4e700e4b0edca2cbcb603.

In June 2016, Stein convened a meeting with the Crusaders and discussed the need to respond to the June 2016 shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. The next month, the three co-conspirators and a confidential FBI source met at G&G Mobile Home Center, a business owned by Wright and where Allen worked.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 6, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download. During the meeting, Stein and Allen suggested various targets for an attack, including Muslim-occupied residences and places of worship, city or county commission meetings, public officials, landlords leasing property to Muslims, and organizations providing aid to Muslim refugees.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 7-8, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download.

The three men eventually settled on a plot to attack an apartment complex in Garden City, Kansas, where most of the 120 residents are Muslims from Somalia.Reuters, “Kansas men aimed to kill as many Somalis as possible in terror plot, prosecutor says,” Guardian, April 17, 2018, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/apr/17/kansas-terror-plot-men-kill-somalian-muslims-hate-court-claims. The complex served as a hub for the Somali community and one of the apartments was used as a makeshift mosque.Mitch Smith, “Racist Terror Plot, or Just Idle Talk? Kansas Trial Hinges on the Answer,” New York Times, April 16, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/16/us/kansas-militia-somali-bomb-plot.html. Allen, Wright, and Stein began to stockpile weapons and supplies for explosives, and surveilled the apartment complex.Christopher Mathias and Ryan J. Reilly, “These Pro-Trump Extremists Had a Plan To Kill Muslims. How Were They Radicalized?,” Huffington Post, April 18, 2018, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/domestic-terrorism-trial-kansas-trump-militia_n_5ad4e700e4b0edca2cbcb603.

Allen was the self-appointed author of the group’s manifesto, which he intended to release concurrently with the planned attack, according to a recording provided by the FBI source.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Affidavit in Support of Application for the First Extension of a Mobile Tracker, (D. Kan. 2016), 8, https://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/kansas-affidavit-extended.pdf. In the manifesto, Allen calls on others to “wake up” and “take action” against the U.S. government for “not enforcing our borders… bringing in Muslims by the thousands.”Curtis Allen, “Manifesto,” Southern Poverty Law Center, December 3, 2018, https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/5694091-Manifesto.html.

According to the criminal complaint, Allen volunteered to build the bomb to be used in the Garden City apartment complex attack and displayed knowledge of explosive components.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 8, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download. The plan included obtaining and filling four vehicles with explosives, parking them in each of the four corners of the apartment complex, and detonating the explosives remotely with a cellphone. The plot also included potentially enlisting other KSF members in different states to purchase prepaid cellphones.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 8-9, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download. Prosecutors said the men planned to launch the attack on November 9, 2016, a day after the U.S. presidential elections.Mitch Smith, “Racist Terror Plot, or Just Idle Talk? Kansas Trial Hinges on the Answer,” New York Times, April 16, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/16/us/kansas-militia-somali-bomb-plot.html.

On October 11, 2016, local police responded to a domestic battery call at the home Allen shared with his girlfriend. By the time authorities arrived, Allen had fled the scene. His girlfriend recounted the incident and alerted officers to the fact that Allen possessed firearms. Police officers were able to track down Allen’s vehicle to the G&G Mobile Home Center, where they followed him and arrested him with weapons in his vehicle.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 11, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download. Allen’s girlfriend later said she witnessed a white powdery substance being produced on the counter at the G&G Mobile Home Center, similar to what was produced in bomb-making videos the two had viewed on YouTube.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 11, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download. Based on her description of the components she had witnessed, law enforcement determined Allen was manufacturing a homemade explosive known as hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD).United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 12, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download.

On October 12, 2016, the FBI conducted searches at Allen’s residence and found weapons. Authorities also searched the G&G Mobile Home Center and discovered a possible detonator and other explosive materials.United States of America v. Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein, and Gavin Wayne Wright, Criminal Complaint, (D. Kan. 2016), 12, https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/903106/download. Allen’s co-conspirators Stein and Wright were arrested on October 14, and the three men were charged with one count of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction.“Three Southwest Kansas Men Charged With Plotting to Bomb Somali Immigrants,” Department of Justice, October 14, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/three-southwest-kansas-men-charged-plotting-bomb-somali-immigrants. They were later charged with an additional one count of conspiracy against rights by planning to interfere with the housing rights of residents at the Garden City apartment complex.Mitch Smith, “Racist Terror Plot, or Just Idle Talk? Kansas Trial Hinges on the Answer,” New York Times, April 16, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/16/us/kansas-militia-somali-bomb-plot.html. Allen, Wright, and Stein were convicted on both charges on April 18, 2018.“Three Southwest Kansas Men Sentenced to Prison for Plotting to bomb Somali Immigrants in Garden City,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 25, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/three-southwest-kansas-men-sentenced-prison-plotting-bomb-somali-immigrants-garden-city. On January 25, 2019, Allen was sentenced to 25 years in prison for conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and 10 years for conspiracy to violate civil rights, to be served simultaneously.“Three Southwest Kansas Men Sentenced to Prison for Plotting to bomb Somali Immigrants in Garden City,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 25, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/three-southwest-kansas-men-sentenced-prison-plotting-bomb-somali-immigrants-garden-city.

Zarein Ahmedzay is a convicted Islamist extremist, foreign fighter, and attempted domestic terrorist. Between 2008 and 2009, he and two friends—Najibullah Zazi and Adis Medunjanin—traveled to Pakistan and received weapons training at an al-Qaeda terrorist camp there. The three men then returned to the United States and plotted to carry out a coordinated suicide bomb attack on the New York City subway system.Mosi Secret, “Prison for Father Who Lied About Terror Plot,” New York Times, February 10, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/11/nyregion/mohammed-wali-zazi-sentenced-for-lying-about-subway-bomb-plot.html; “Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us. Ahmedzay was arrested in January 2010 and charged with conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country, and providing material support to al-Qaeda. He was sentenced on December 14, 2018 to 10 years in prison.“Al-Qaeda Operative Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Role in International Terrorism Plot that Targeted the United States and Europe,” Department of Justice, November 24, 2015, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/al-qaeda-operative-sentenced-40-years-prison-role-international-terrorism-plot-targeted; Mikey Light and Larry McShane, “Would-be NYC subway bomber turned "extraordinary" cooperating witness takes step toward freedom,” Daily News, December 14, 2018, https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-metro-subway-bomber-sentencing-20181214-story.html; “Zarein Ahmedzay Pleads Guilty to Terror Violations in Connection with Al-Qaeda New York Subway Plot,” U.S. Department of Justice, April 23, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/zarein-ahmedzay-pleads-guilty-terror-violations-connection-al-qaeda-new-york-subway-plot; William K. Rashbaum, “After Months of Scrutiny in Zazi Terrorism Case, Two Arrests Came as a Surprise,” New York Times, January 8, 2010, https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/09/nyregion/09zazi.html.

Ahmedzay, Zazi, and Medunjanin were friends and former high school classmates. They reportedly frequented the same mosque in Queens and shared an iPod to listen to radical lectures.Susan Candiotti, “Two New Yorkers questioned in Zazi investigation, attorneys say,” CNN, October 9, 2009, http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/09/us.terror.probe/; Mosi Secret, “In Terrorists’ Testimony, a Rare, Intimate Look Into a Secretive World,” New York Times, April 29, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/30/nyregion/testimony-of-4-admitted-terrorists-gives-a-rare-view-of-al-qaeda.html. After dropping out from Queens College in New York City, Ahmedzay worked as a cab driver in and took the civil service test in 2007 to become a New York City firefighter. He passed the exam, but was listed far down on the waiting list.William K. Rashbaum and David Johnston, “Officials Focus on New Suspects in Terror Case,” New York Times, October 9, 2009, https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/10/nyregion/10terror.html; Janon Fisher, “Qaeda rant of bomb zombie,” New York Post, April 24, 2010, https://nypost.com/2010/04/24/qaeda-rant-of-bomb-zombie/.

On August 28, 2008, Ahmedzay, Zazi, and Medunjanin traveled from Newark, New Jersey, to Peshawar, Pakistan. They initially intended to fight against the U.S. military alongside the Taliban in Afghanistan, but Ahmedzay and Medunjanin were turned away at the Afghan border. Instead, al-Qaeda recruited the three men who then traveled to the Waziristan region of Pakistan to receive military-style weapons. Ahmedzay and Zazi had planned to receive additional explosives training a month later, but Ahmedzay decided against the opportunity and Zazi attended training alone. In Waziristan, they met with al-Qaeda leaders Saleh al-Somali, then-head of al-Qaeda external operations, and Rashid Rauf, a high-ranking al-Qaeda operative, who suggested that the three return to New York and carry out suicide bomb attacks in the United States. They also discussed potential target locations, such as the New York City subway system, Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, the New York Stock Exchange, Times Square, and movie theaters.“Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us; “Al Qaeda Operative Convicted by Jury in One of the Most Serious Terrorist Plots Against America since 9/11,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 1, 2012, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/al-qaeda-operative-convicted-jury-one-most-serious-terrorist-plots-against-america-911; “The United States of America vs. Adis Medunjanin et al. – Superseding Indictment,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 11, 2012, https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nyed.299843.157.0.pdf; “Zarein Ahmedzay Pleads Guilty to Terror Violations in Connection with Al-Qaeda New York Subway Plot,” U.S. Department of Justice, April 23, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/zarein-ahmedzay-pleads-guilty-terror-violations-connection-al-qaeda-new-york-subway-plot.

After agreeing to carry out the suicide bombing operations, Ahmedzay traveled back to Newark, New Jersey, on January 22, 2009.“The United States of America vs. Adis Medunjanin et al. – Superseding Indictment,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 11, 2012, https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nyed.299843.157.0.pdf; “Al Qaeda Operative Convicted by Jury in One of the Most Serious Terrorist Plots Against America since 9/11,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 1, 2012, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/al-qaeda-operative-convicted-jury-one-most-serious-terrorist-plots-against-america-911. According to Ahmedzay’s testimony in court, his role in the plot was to provide details on possible target locations in New York City, given his knowledge of the city as a cab driver.Janon Fisher, “Qaeda rant of bomb zombie,” New York Post, April 24, 2010, https://nypost.com/2010/04/24/qaeda-rant-of-bomb-zombie/. Zazi was responsible for assembling the bombs due to his additional explosives training in Pakistan, while Medunjanin’s radical Islamist beliefs helped to inspire the group to participate in jihad.“Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us. Mosi Secret, “Man Convicted of a Terrorist Plot to Bomb Subways Is Sent to Prison for Life,” New York Times, November 16, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/17/nyregion/adis-medunjanin-convicted-of-subway-bomb-plot-gets-life-sentence.html.

Between June and September 2009, co-conspirator Zazi—then living in Denver, Colorado—conducted extensive research, purchased items needed to manufacture triacetone triperoxide (TATP), and constructed the explosives for the detonator components of the bombs.“Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us; “New York Terror Case – Indictment Announced,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, September 24, 2009, https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/stories/2009/september/zazi_092409. According to court documents, Ahmedzay had initial reservations about the suicide bombing, but proceeded with the plan nonetheless.“Zarein Ahmedzay Pleads Guilty to Terror Violations in Connection with Al-Qaeda New York Subway Plot,” U.S. Department of Justice, April 23, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/zarein-ahmedzay-pleads-guilty-terror-violations-connection-al-qaeda-new-york-subway-plot.

On September 8, Zazi rented a car and drove from Denver to New York City, bringing the bomb-making materials with him. Zazi connected with Ahmedzay and Medunjanin there, where they planned to assemble the remaining components of the bombs and carry out an attack on the Manhattan subway lines a few days later. However, the three men aborted their plan and discarded their explosives after realizing that U.S. law enforcement was investigating their activities.“Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us. Zazi flew back to Colorado and was arrested on September 19.“Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us; “The United States of America vs. Najibullah Zazi – Government’s Proffer And Memorandum Of Law In Support Of Motion For Detention,” U.S. Department of Justice, September 24, 2009, https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/co/news/2009/September09/Zazi_Detention_Motion.pdf.

Ahmedzay pled guilty to several terrorism charges in April 2010, and was sentenced in December 2018 to 10 years in prison. He is reportedly working as a cooperating witness for the U.S. government.“Al-Qaeda Operative Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Role in International Terrorism Plot that Targeted the United States and Europe,” Department of Justice, November 24, 2015, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/al-qaeda-operative-sentenced-40-years-prison-role-international-terrorism-plot-targeted; Mikey Light and Larry McShane, “Would-be NYC subway bomber turned "extraordinary" cooperating witness takes step toward freedom,” Daily News, December 14, 2018, https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-metro-subway-bomber-sentencing-20181214-story.html; “Zarein Ahmedzay Pleads Guilty to Terror Violations in Connection with Al-Qaeda New York Subway Plot,” U.S. Department of Justice, April 23, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/zarein-ahmedzay-pleads-guilty-terror-violations-connection-al-qaeda-new-york-subway-plot.

Co-conspirators Zazi and Medunjanin were also apprehended. In February 2010, Zazi pled guilty to conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in the United States, conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country, and providing material support to a terrorist organization. On May 2, 2019, Zazi was sentenced to 10 years in prison.Jonathan Dienst, “Man who plotted to blow up NYC subway may soon walk free,” NBC News, May 2, 2019, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/man-who-plotted-blow-nyc-subway-may-soon-walk-free-n1001101. However, like Ahmedzay, was reportedly working for the U.S. government as a cooperating witness.Trevor Aaronson, “The Cooperators: Terrorism Defendants With Concrete Ties to Violent Extremists Leverage Their Connections to Avoid Prison,” The Intercept, April 20, 2017, https://theintercept.com/2017/04/20/terrorism-defendants-with-concrete-ties-to-violent-extremists-leverage-their-connections-to-avoid-prison/; “United States v. Zazi (1:09-cr-00663),” Court Listener, accessed April 17, 2019, https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4320003/parties/united-states-v-zazi/. As a result, in September 2019, due to Zazi’s cooperation with U.S. investigators, a federal judge said he would not serve any additional prison time and he was soon released.Erica Orden, “Najibullah Zazi, who plotted to bomb the new York Subway, gets a second chance,” CNN, September 28, 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/01/us/najibullah-zazi-new-york-subway-bomb-plot-sentencing/index.html. In November 2012, Medunjanin, was sentenced to life in prison for multiple terrorism offenses, including his role in plotting to carry out a coordinated suicide bombing attack on the New York City subway system. He pled not guilty and denied any involvement throughout his trial.Mosi Secret, “Man Convicted of a Terrorist Plot to Bomb Subways Is Sent to Prison for Life,” New York Times, November 16, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/17/nyregion/adis-medunjanin-convicted-of-subway-bomb-plot-gets-life-sentence.html.

Najibullah Zazi is a convicted Islamist extremist, foreign terrorist fighter, and attempted domestic terrorist. Between 2008 and 2009, he and two friends—Adis Medunjanin and Zarein Ahmedzay—traveled to Pakistan and received weapons training in an al-Qaeda training camp there. The three men then returned to the United States and plotted to carry out a coordinated suicide attack on the New York City subway system. Zazi was responsible for gathering bomb-making materials and assembling the explosives.Mosi Secret, “Prison for Father Who Lied About Terror Plot,” New York Times, February 10, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/11/nyregion/mohammed-wali-zazi-sentenced-for-lying-about-subway-bomb-plot.html; “Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us. On February 22, 2010, he pled guilty to conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in the United States, conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country, and providing material support to a terrorist organization.“Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us.

Zazi was born in Afghanistan and moved to Pakistan with his family at the age of 7. In 1999, he and his family immigrated to the United States and settled in Flushing, a neighborhood in New York City, where he attended high school but did not graduate.“The United States of America vs. Najibullah Zazi – Government’s Proffer And Memorandum Of Law In Support Of Motion For Detention,” U.S. Department of Justice, September 24, 2009, https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/co/news/2009/September09/Zazi_Detention_Motion.pdf; “United States of America vs. Najibullah Zazi – Transcript of Criminal Cause for Pleading,” United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, February 22, 2010, https://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/USvZazi.pdf; Al Baker, “Reasons Unclear for Terrorist Fears,” New York Times, September 17, 2009, https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/nyregion/18terror.html?pagewanted=all. In 2006, Zazi returned to Pakistan and married a woman from Peshawar. He traveled between the United States and Pakistan, where he would visit his wife and children for several weeks each year up until his arrest in 2009.“The United States of America vs. Najibullah Zazi – Government’s Proffer And Memorandum Of Law In Support Of Motion For Detention,” U.S. Department of Justice, September 24, 2009, https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/co/news/2009/September09/Zazi_Detention_Motion.pdf; David Johnston and Al Baker, “Denver Man Admits to a Possible Al Qaeda Connection, Officials Say,” New York Times, September 18, 2009, https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/19/nyregion/19terror.html; Al Baker, “Reasons Unclear for Terrorist Fears,” New York Times, September 17, 2009, https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/nyregion/18terror.html?pagewanted=all.

On August 28, 2008, Zazi, Medunjanin, and Ahmedzay traveled from Newark, New Jersey, to Peshawar, Pakistan. Although they initially intended to fight against the U.S. military alongside the Taliban in Afghanistan, the three men were recruited by al-Qaeda shortly after arriving in Peshawar.“Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us; “The United States of America vs. Najibullah Zazi – Government’s Proffer And Memorandum Of Law In Support Of Motion For Detention,” U.S. Department of Justice, September 24, 2009, https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/co/news/2009/September09/Zazi_Detention_Motion.pdf; Mosi Secret, “Prison for Father Who Lied About Terror Plot,” New York Times, February 10, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/11/nyregion/mohammed-wali-zazi-sentenced-for-lying-about-subway-bomb-plot.html. They met with al-Qaeda leaders Saleh al-Somali, then-head of al-Qaeda external operations, and Rashid Rauf, a high-ranking al-Qaeda operative, who suggested they return to New York and carry out suicide attacks in the United States.“Al Qaeda Operative Convicted by Jury in One of the Most Serious Terrorist Plots Against America since 9/11,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 1, 2012, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/al-qaeda-operative-convicted-jury-one-most-serious-terrorist-plots-against-america-911. According to Zazi’s testimony, the three agreed to do so and subsequently received weapons training in the Waziristan region of Pakistan. Zazi received additional explosives training and took detailed notes for his planned suicide bombing mission. He also discussed potential target locations with al-Qaeda leaders, including the New York City subway system, and provided them with money and computers before he left Pakistan.“Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us.

On January 15, 2009, Zazi returned to the United States and moved to Aurora, Colorado, where he stayed with family members.“Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us; “The United States of America vs. Najibullah Zazi – Government’s Proffer And Memorandum Of Law In Support Of Motion For Detention,” U.S. Department of Justice, September 24, 2009, https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/co/news/2009/September09/Zazi_Detention_Motion.pdf. In June, he started to review his bomb-making notes and conducted more research on where to procure the necessary components.“Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us; “New York Terror Case – Indictment Announced,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, September 24, 2009, https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/stories/2009/september/zazi_092409. Zazi reportedly communicated with al-Qaeda leaders—including Adnan El-Shukrijumah and Saleh al-Somali—about the plot through a Pakistani-based facilitator identified only as “Ahmad,” with whom Zazi exchanged emails.“Al-Qaeda Operative Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Role in International Terrorism Plot that Targeted the United States and Europe,” Department of Justice, November 24, 2015, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/al-qaeda-operative-sentenced-40-years-prison-role-international-terrorism-plot-targeted. Zazi purchased the items needed to manufacture triacetone triperoxide (TATP) that summer, and constructed the explosives for the detonator components of the bombs.“Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us; “New York Terror Case – Indictment Announced,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, September 24, 2009, https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/stories/2009/september/zazi_092409.

On September 8, Zazi rented a car and drove from Denver to New York City, bringing the bomb-making materials with him. Zazi connected with Medunjanin and Ahmedzay there, where they planned to assemble the remaining components of the bombs and carry out an attack on the Manhattan subway lines a few days later. However, the three men aborted their plan and discarded their explosives after realizing that U.S. law enforcement was investigating Zazi’s activities.“Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us. Zazi flew back to Denver a few days later and was arrested on September 19.“Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us; “The United States of America vs. Najibullah Zazi – Government’s Proffer And Memorandum Of Law In Support Of Motion For Detention,” U.S. Department of Justice, September 24, 2009, https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/co/news/2009/September09/Zazi_Detention_Motion.pdf. When law enforcement searched his computer, they found bomb-making instructions and Internet searches for hydrochloric acid—an ingredient for TATP. Previously, the FBI intercepted e-mail and cell phone messages where Zazi had asked for information about bomb-making ingredients.“New York Terror Case – Indictment Announced,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, September 24, 2009, https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/stories/2009/september/zazi_092409.

Zazi pled guilty in February 2010 to conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in the United States, conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country, and providing material support to a terrorist organization. He faced a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison for the first two counts of the superseding information and an additional 15 years in prison for the third count.“Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us. On May 2, 2019, Zazi was sentenced to 10 years in prison.Jonathan Dienst, “Man who plotted to blow up NYC subway may soon walk free,” NBC News, May 2, 2019, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/man-who-plotted-blow-nyc-subway-may-soon-walk-free-n1001101. However, he was reportedly working for the U.S. government as a cooperating witness for the last 10 years.Trevor Aaronson, “The Cooperators: Terrorism Defendants With Concrete Ties to Violent Extremists Leverage Their Connections to Avoid Prison,” The Intercept, April 20, 2017, https://theintercept.com/2017/04/20/terrorism-defendants-with-concrete-ties-to-violent-extremists-leverage-their-connections-to-avoid-prison/; “United States v. Zazi (1:09-cr-00663),” Court Listener, accessed April 17, 2019, https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4320003/parties/united-states-v-zazi/. As a result, in September 2019, due to Zazi’s cooperation with U.S. investigators, a federal judge said he would not serve any additional prison time and he was soon released.Erica Orden, “Najibullah Zazi, who plotted to bomb the new York Subway, gets a second chance,” CNN, September 28, 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/01/us/najibullah-zazi-new-york-subway-bomb-plot-sentencing/index.html.

Co-conspirators Ahmedzay and Medunjanin were also apprehended. Ahmedzay pled guilty in April 2010, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in December 2018. Like Zazi, he is also working as a cooperating witness for the U.S. government.“Al-Qaeda Operative Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Role in International Terrorism Plot that Targeted the United States and Europe,” Department of Justice, November 24, 2015, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/al-qaeda-operative-sentenced-40-years-prison-role-international-terrorism-plot-targeted; Mikey Light and Larry McShane, “Would-be NYC subway bomber turned "extraordinary" cooperating witness takes step toward freedom,” Daily News, December 14, 2018, https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-metro-subway-bomber-sentencing-20181214-story.html. In November 2012, Medunjanin was sentenced to life in prison for multiple terrorism offenses, including his role in plotting to carry out a coordinated suicide attack on the New York City subways. He pled not guilty and denied any involvement throughout his trial.Mosi Secret, “Man Convicted of a Terrorist Plot to Bomb Subways Is Sent to Prison for Life,” New York Times, November 16, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/17/nyregion/adis-medunjanin-convicted-of-subway-bomb-plot-gets-life-sentence.html.

Zazi’s cousin, Amanullah Zazi, also pled guilty in 2010 to facilitating Zazi, Medunjanin, and Ahmedzay’s participation in an al-Qaeda training camp in Pakistan. He also admitted that he had later helped to destroy evidence of Zazi’s bomb-making activities in Denver.“Filed under seal: United States vs. John Doe,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 7, 2010, https://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/case_docs/2085.pdf; “Father of Would-Be Suicide Bomber Convicted of Obstructing Terrorism Investigation,” U.S. Department of Justice, July 22, 2011, https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/newyork/press-releases/2011/father-of-would-be-suicide-bomber-convicted-of-obstructing-terrorism-investigation. In February 2012, Zazi’s father, Mohammed Wali Zazi, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for impeding an investigation and obstructing justice.Mosi Secret, “Prison for Father Who Lied About Terror Plot,” New York Times, February 10, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/11/nyregion/mohammed-wali-zazi-sentenced-for-lying-about-subway-bomb-plot.html; “Father of Would-Be Suicide Bomber Convicted of Obstructing Terrorism Investigation,” U.S. Department of Justice, July 22, 2011, https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/newyork/press-releases/2011/father-of-would-be-suicide-bomber-convicted-of-obstructing-terrorism-investigation.

Adis Medunjanin is a convicted Islamist extremist, foreign terrorist fighter, and attempted domestic terrorist. Between 2008 and 2009, he and two friends—Najibullah Zazi and Zarein Ahmedzay—traveled to Pakistan and received weapons training in an al-Qaeda training camp there. The three men returned to the United States and plotted to carry out a coordinated suicide bomb attack on the New York City subway system.Mosi Secret, “Prison for Father Who Lied About Terror Plot,” New York Times, February 10, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/11/nyregion/mohammed-wali-zazi-sentenced-for-lying-about-subway-bomb-plot.html; “Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us. According to a report in the New York Times, Medunjanin was considered the “heart and soul” of the plot, as his radical Islamist beliefs helped to inspire the group to participate in jihad.Mosi Secret, “Man Convicted of a Terrorist Plot to Bomb Subways Is Sent to Prison for Life,” New York Times, November 16, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/17/nyregion/adis-medunjanin-convicted-of-subway-bomb-plot-gets-life-sentence.html. Although he denied any involvement in the plot, on November 16, 2012, Medunjanin was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison for multiple terrorism offenses.Mosi Secret, “Man Convicted of a Terrorist Plot to Bomb Subways Is Sent to Prison for Life,” New York Times, November 16, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/17/nyregion/adis-medunjanin-convicted-of-subway-bomb-plot-gets-life-sentence.html.

Medunjanin was born in Bosnia and moved with his family to the United States in 1994. He lived in Queens, New York, and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2002.Susan Candiotti, “Two New Yorkers questioned in Zazi investigation, attorneys say,” CNN, October 9, 2009, http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/09/us.terror.probe/. Medunjanin graduated from Queens College in June 2009 with a degree in economics. According to two students from the Queens College Muslim Student Association, Medunjanin was a quiet, humble, and respected student. He was very religious and highly regarded for his knowledge of Islam. Medunjanin used the association’s group prayer room approximately two or three times per week.William K. Rashbaum and David Johnston, “Officials Focus on New Suspects in Terror Case,” New York Times, October 9, 2009, https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/10/nyregion/10terror.html. He later worked as a part-time building superintendent in Queens.Samantha Stainburn, “Adis Medunjanin, Bosnian immigrant, gets life in prison for subway bomb plot,” Public Radio International, November 16, 2012, https://www.pri.org/stories/2012-11-16/adis-medunjanin-bosnian-immigrant-gets-life-prison-subway-bomb-plot; Chad Bray, “U.S. Links Failed Subway Bombing to Similar Plot in U.K.,” Wall Street Journal, July 7, 2010, https://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2010/07/07/charges-coming-against-al-quaeda-leader-in-subway-bomb-plot/. The three conspirators—Medunjanin, Zazi, and Ahmedzay—were friends and former high school classmates and reportedly frequented the same mosque in Queens.Susan Candiotti, “Two New Yorkers questioned in Zazi investigation, attorneys say,” CNN, October 9, 2009, http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/09/us.terror.probe/.

On August 28, 2008, Medunjanin, Zazi, and Ahmedzay traveled from Newark, New Jersey, to Peshawar, Pakistan. They initially intended to fight against the U.S. military alongside the Taliban in Afghanistan, but Medunjanin and Ahmedzay were turned away at the Afghan border. Instead, al-Qaeda recruited the three men who then traveled to the Waziristan region of Pakistan to receive military-style weapons training. There, they met with al-Qaeda leaders Saleh al-Somali, then-head of al-Qaeda external operations, and Rashid Rauf, a high-ranking al-Qaeda operative, who suggested that the three return to New York and conduct suicide bomb attacks in the United States. They also discussed potential target locations, such as the New York City subway system, Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, the New York Stock Exchange, Times Square, and movie theaters.“Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us; “Al Qaeda Operative Convicted by Jury in One of the Most Serious Terrorist Plots Against America since 9/11,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 1, 2012, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/al-qaeda-operative-convicted-jury-one-most-serious-terrorist-plots-against-america-911; “The United States of America vs. Adis Medunjanin et al. – Superseding Indictment,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 11, 2012, https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nyed.299843.157.0.pdf.

After agreeing to carry out the “martyrdom” operation, Medunjanin traveled back to Newark, New Jersey, on September 25, 2008.“The United States of America vs. Adis Medunjanin et al. – Superseding Indictment,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 11, 2012, https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nyed.299843.157.0.pdf; “Al Qaeda Operative Convicted by Jury in One of the Most Serious Terrorist Plots Against America since 9/11,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 1, 2012, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/al-qaeda-operative-convicted-jury-one-most-serious-terrorist-plots-against-america-911. According to a report in the New York Times, Medunjanin was considered the “heart and soul” of the New York City subway plot, as his radical Islamist beliefs helped to inspire the group to participate in jihad. However, Zazi, who returned to the United States in January 2009 after receiving additional explosives training in Pakistan, took the leading role and was responsible for assembling the bombs.“Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us. Mosi Secret, “Man Convicted of a Terrorist Plot to Bomb Subways Is Sent to Prison for Life,” New York Times, November 16, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/17/nyregion/adis-medunjanin-convicted-of-subway-bomb-plot-gets-life-sentence.html. Between June and September 2009, co-conspirator Zazi—then living in Denver, Colorado—conducted extensive research, purchased items needed to manufacture triacetone triperoxide (TATP), and constructed the explosives for the detonator components of the bombs.“Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us; “New York Terror Case – Indictment Announced,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, September 24, 2009, https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/stories/2009/september/zazi_092409.

On September 8, Zazi rented a car and drove from Denver to New York City, bringing the bomb-making materials with him. Zazi connected with Medunjanin and Ahmedzay there, where they planned to assemble the remaining components of the bombs and carry out an attack on the Manhattan subway lines a few days later. However, the three men aborted their plan and discarded their explosives after realizing that U.S. law enforcement was investigating Zazi’s activities.“Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us. On September 14, the FBI searched Medunjanin’s apartment in the Whitestone neighborhood of Queens, New York. According to his attorney, he was not the primary target of the investigation at that time and fully cooperated with the authorities.“The United States of America vs. Adis Medunjanin et al. – Affidavit,” U.S. Department of Justice, April 11, 2011, https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nyed.299843.127.0.pdf; Susan Candiotti, “Two New Yorkers questioned in Zazi investigation, attorneys say,” CNN, October 9, 2009, http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/09/us.terror.probe/. Zazi, however, flew back to Colorado and was arrested on September 19.“Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us; “The United States of America vs. Najibullah Zazi – Government’s Proffer And Memorandum Of Law In Support Of Motion For Detention,” U.S. Department of Justice, September 24, 2009, https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/co/news/2009/September09/Zazi_Detention_Motion.pdf.

On January 7, 2010, law enforcement conducted another search on Medunjanin’s apartment. Shortly thereafter, Medunjanin attempted to carry out another suicide terrorist attack by driving his car and crashing it into another vehicle at high speed on the Whitestone Expressway in Queens. Moments before the impact, he called emergency services at 9-1-1, identified himself, and shouted “We love death more than you love your life.”“Al Qaeda Operative Convicted by Jury in One of the Most Serious Terrorist Plots Against America since 9/11,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 1, 2012, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/al-qaeda-operative-convicted-jury-one-most-serious-terrorist-plots-against-america-911. “The United States of America vs. Adis Medunjanin et al. – Superseding Indictment,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 11, 2012, https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nyed.299843.157.0.pdf; “Al-Qaeda Operative Sentenced to Life in Prison in One of the Most Serious Terrorist Plots Against the United States since 9/11,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 16, 2012, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/al-qaeda-operative-sentenced-life-prison-one-most-serious-terrorist-plots-against-united; Susan Candiotti, “Two New Yorkers questioned in Zazi investigation, attorneys say,” CNN, October 9, 2009, http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/09/us.terror.probe/. However, Medunjanin failed in the attempted suicide vehicular attack and subsequently fled the scene by foot. Later that day, Medunjanin was arrested for leaving the scene of the car accident, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) ultimately charged him with more serious crimes.“The United States of America vs. Adis Medunjanin et al. – Affidavit,” U.S. Department of Justice, April 11, 2011, https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nyed.299843.127.0.pdf; Michael Daly, “Adis Medunjanin goes from Flushing High School student to suspected terrorist,” Daily News, January 9, 2010, https://www.nydailynews.com/news/adis-medunjanin-flushing-high-school-student-suspected-terrorist-article-1.458403.

On November 16, 2012, Medunjanin was sentenced to life in prison for multiple terrorism offenses, including his role in plotting to carry out a coordinated suicide bomb attack on the New York City subway system. He pled not guilty and denied any involvement throughout his trial. During his sentencing hearing, Medunjanin spent several minutes singing verses from the Quran. He also recited what he perceived as atrocities of American foreign policies, namely the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib, the use of waterboarding, and the killing of innocent civilians during the Iraq War. Reiterating his innocence, he concluded his statement by asking Allah to release him from prison.Mosi Secret, “Man Convicted of a Terrorist Plot to Bomb Subways Is Sent to Prison for Life,” New York Times, November 16, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/17/nyregion/adis-medunjanin-convicted-of-subway-bomb-plot-gets-life-sentence.html.

Co-conspirators Zazi and Ahmedzay were also apprehended. On February 22, 2010, Zazi pled guilty to conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in the United States, conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country, and providing material support to a terrorist organization. He currently awaits his sentencing and reportedly works for the U.S. government as a cooperating witness.Trevor Aaronson, “The Cooperators: Terrorism Defendants With Concrete Ties to Violent Extremists Leverage Their Connections to Avoid Prison,” The Intercept, April 20, 2017, https://theintercept.com/2017/04/20/terrorism-defendants-with-concrete-ties-to-violent-extremists-leverage-their-connections-to-avoid-prison/; “United States v. Zazi (1:09-cr-00663),” Court Listener, accessed April 17, 2019, https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4320003/parties/united-states-v-zazi/; “Najibullah Zazi Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property in U.S., Conspiracy to Murder Abroad and Providing Material Support to Al-Qaeda,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 22, 2010, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/najibullah-zazi-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-use-explosives-against-persons-or-property-us. Ahmedzay pled guilty in April 2010, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in December 2018. Like Zazi, he is also working as a cooperating witness for the U.S. government.“Al-Qaeda Operative Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Role in International Terrorism Plot that Targeted the United States and Europe,” Department of Justice, November 24, 2015, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/al-qaeda-operative-sentenced-40-years-prison-role-international-terrorism-plot-targeted; Mikey Light and Larry McShane, “Would-be NYC subway bomber turned "extraordinary" cooperating witness takes step toward freedom,” Daily News, December 14, 2018, https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-metro-subway-bomber-sentencing-20181214-story.html.

Christopher Paul Hasson, a U.S. Coast Guard officer, is a white supremacist and far-right extremist accused of plotting to assassinate prominent Democratic politicians and journalists in an effort to establish a “white homeland.”Isaac Stanley-Becker, “‘They hate white males’: A Norwegian mass murderer inspired the Coast Guard officer accused of plotting terror, feds say,” Washington Post, February 21, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/02/21/they-hate-white-males-norwegian-mass-murderer-inspired-coast-guard-officer-plotting-terror-feds-say/?utm_term=.b9f82a46b178. According to official court records, Hasson was inspired by Anders Breivik, a convicted Norwegian far-right domestic terrorist who killed 77 people in 2011.“‘Breivik manifesto’ details chilling attack preparation,” BBC, July 24, 2011, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-14267007; Isaac Stanley-Becker, “‘They hate white males’: A Norwegian mass murderer inspired the Coast Guard officer accused of plotting terror, feds say,” Washington Post, February 21, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/02/21/they-hate-white-males-norwegian-mass-murderer-inspired-coast-guard-officer-plotting-terror-feds-say/?utm_term=.b9f82a46b178. On February 15, 2019, Hasson was arrested in his Maryland home on illegal weapon and drug charges. Law enforcement reportedly seized 15 guns and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, as well as steroids, supplements, opioid pills, and 30 bottles of what appeared to be human growth hormone.Mary Kay Mallonee and Caroline Kelly, “Coast Guard officer accused of wanting to kill Democrats and journalists was inspired by Norwegian mass shooting, feds say,” CNN, February 21, 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/20/politics/coast-guard-mass-killing-hit-list/index.html; Isaac Stanley-Becker, “‘They hate white males’: A Norwegian mass murderer inspired the Coast Guard officer accused of plotting terror, feds say,” Washington Post, February 21, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/02/21/they-hate-white-males-norwegian-mass-murderer-inspired-coast-guard-officer-plotting-terror-feds-say/?utm_term=.b9f82a46b178. In October 2019, Hasson pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of silencers, possession of firearms by a drug addict, and possession of a controlled substance.Christine Hauser, “Coast Guard Officer Called a ‘Domestic Terrorist’ Pleads Guilty to Gun and Drug Charges,” New York Times, October 3, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/us/christopher-hasson-coast-guard-white-supremacist.html. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison in January 2020.Michael Levenson, “Former Coast Guard Officer Accused of Plotting Terrorism Is Sentenced to 13 Years,” New York Times, January 31, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/31/us/christopher-hasson-coast-guard-terrorism.html.

Hasson, an active-duty Coast Guard lieutenant and former Marine, was stationed in Washington, D.C., as an acquisitions officer and lived in Silver Spring, Maryland. He is allegedly a self-proclaimed long-term white nationalist and former skinhead. Criminal evidence confirmed that Hasson espoused extremist views for years.Mary Kay Mallonee and Caroline Kelly, “Coast Guard officer accused of wanting to kill Democrats and journalists was inspired by Norwegian mass shooting, feds say,” CNN, February 21, 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/20/politics/coast-guard-mass-killing-hit-list/index.html; “United States of America vs. Christopher Paul Hasson – Motion for Detention Pending Trial,” United States District Court, District of Maryland, February 19, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/prosecutors-request-to-detain-christopher-hasson/3667d927-2a54-4131-8c6d-158fcedec287_note.html?questionId=9f4d57c1-cf7c-4287-b3ac-62f1b7697775&utm_term=.a675eeb68ecf. Law enforcement found several draft or deleted emails indicating that Hasson explored the idea of a biological weapon attack, advocated for “focused violence” in order to establish a “white homeland,” and was “dreaming of a way to kill almost every last person on the earth.”“United States of America vs. Christopher Paul Hasson – Motion for Detention Pending Trial,” United States District Court, District of Maryland, February 19, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/prosecutors-request-to-detain-christopher-hasson/3667d927-2a54-4131-8c6d-158fcedec287_note.html?questionId=9f4d57c1-cf7c-4287-b3ac-62f1b7697775&utm_term=.a675eeb68ecf.

On February 15, 2019, Hasson was arrested on illegal weapons and drug charges as a result of an ongoing investigation led by the Coast Guard Investigative Service, in cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Justice.Mary Kay Mallonee and Caroline Kelly, “Coast Guard officer accused of wanting to kill Democrats and journalists was inspired by Norwegian mass shooting, feds say,” CNN, February 21, 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/20/politics/coast-guard-mass-killing-hit-list/index.html. When law enforcement searched his home, they found 15 guns and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, as well as steroids, supplements, opioid pills, and 30 bottles of what appeared to be human growth hormone.Isaac Stanley-Becker, “‘They hate white males’: A Norwegian mass murderer inspired the Coast Guard officer accused of plotting terror, feds say,” Washington Post, February 21, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/02/21/they-hate-white-males-norwegian-mass-murderer-inspired-coast-guard-officer-plotting-terror-feds-say/?utm_term=.b9f82a46b178; Mary Kay Mallonee and Caroline Kelly, “Coast Guard officer accused of wanting to kill Democrats and journalists was inspired by Norwegian mass shooting, feds say,” CNN, February 21, 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/20/politics/coast-guard-mass-killing-hit-list/index.html.

The U.S. government noted that the illegal possession of weapons and drugs were the “proverbial tip of the iceberg.”Lynh Bui, “‘I am dreaming of a way to kill almost every last person on earth’: A self-proclaimed white nationalist planned a mass terrorist attack, the government says,” Washington Post, February 20, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/self-proclaimed-white-nationalist-planned-mass-terror-attack-government-says-i-am-dreaming-of-a-way-to-kill-almost-every-last-person-on-earth/2019/02/20/61daf6b8-3544-11e9-af5b-b51b7ff322e9_story.html?utm_term=.3b17b7fbf08f. Hasson is suspected of plotting to kill prominent Democratic politicians, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, former Representative Beto O’Rourke of Texas, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Senator Kamala Harris of California, and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. Hasson also allegedly sought to assassinate CNN journalists Don Lemon, Chris Cuomo, and Van Jones, as well as MSNBC’s Chris Hayes, Ari Melber, and Joe Scarborough.Isaac Stanley-Becker, “‘They hate white males’: A Norwegian mass murderer inspired the Coast Guard officer accused of plotting terror, feds say,” Washington Post, February 21, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/02/21/they-hate-white-males-norwegian-mass-murderer-inspired-coast-guard-officer-plotting-terror-feds-say/?utm_term=.b9f82a46b178; Mary Kay Mallonee and Caroline Kelly, “Coast Guard officer accused of wanting to kill Democrats and journalists was inspired by Norwegian mass shooting, feds say,” CNN, February 21, 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/20/politics/coast-guard-mass-killing-hit-list/index.html.

According to court documents, Hasson was inspired by Anders Breivik, a convicted Norwegian far-right domestic terrorist who killed 77 people by detonating a car bomb and shooting at young attendees at the Norwegian Workers’ Youth League’s annual summer camp in July 2011. Hours prior to the attacks, Breivik published his 1,500-page manifesto online entitled “2083 – A European Declaration of Independence,” condemning multiculturalism, Islam, “cultural Marxists,” and the Norwegian Labour Party. The manifesto was intended as a how-to manual for like-minded “patriots.”Isaac Stanley-Becker, “‘They hate white males’: A Norwegian mass murderer inspired the Coast Guard officer accused of plotting terror, feds say,” Washington Post, February 21, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/02/21/they-hate-white-males-norwegian-mass-murderer-inspired-coast-guard-officer-plotting-terror-feds-say/?utm_term=.b9f82a46b178; “’Breivik manifesto' details chilling attack preparation,” BBC, July 24, 2011, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-14267007; Siobhán O'Grady, “European court rejects mass murderer Anders Breivik’s claim that isolation in three-room cell is inhumane,” Washington Post, June 21, 2018, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/06/21/european-court-rejects-mass-murderer-anders-breiviks-claim-that-isolation-in-three-room-cell-is-inhumane/?utm_term=.c2e42f7b7eb5; Mark Lewis and Sarah Lyall, “Norway Mass Killer Gets the Maximum: 21 Years,” New York Times, August 24, 2012, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/25/world/europe/anders-behring-breivik-murder-trial.html.

From early 2017 up to the date of his arrest, Hasson routinely perused portions of Breivik’s manifesto that instruct a prospective assailant to amass appropriate firearms, food, disguises, and survival supplies.“United States of America vs. Christopher Paul Hasson – Motion for Detention Pending Trial,” United States District Court, District of Maryland, February 19, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/prosecutors-request-to-detain-christopher-hasson/3667d927-2a54-4131-8c6d-158fcedec287_note.html?questionId=9f4d57c1-cf7c-4287-b3ac-62f1b7697775&utm_term=.a675eeb68ecf. Hasson also identified his potential targets based on Breivik’s recommendations, in particular selecting high-profile individuals who are in a known concentrated location and who do not require security details. Hasson reportedly researched online whether U.S. senators receive Secret Service protection and if Supreme Court justices have bodyguards.Isaac Stanley-Becker, “‘They hate white males’: A Norwegian mass murderer inspired the Coast Guard officer accused of plotting terror, feds say,” Washington Post, February 21, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/02/21/they-hate-white-males-norwegian-mass-murderer-inspired-coast-guard-officer-plotting-terror-feds-say/?utm_term=.b9f82a46b178. Hasson also stockpiled performance-enhancing drugs and opioid pain medication “to increase his ability to conduct attacks,” consistent with the directions in Breivik’s manifesto.Isaac Stanley-Becker, “‘They hate white males’: A Norwegian mass murderer inspired the Coast Guard officer accused of plotting terror, feds say,” Washington Post, February 21, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/02/21/they-hate-white-males-norwegian-mass-murderer-inspired-coast-guard-officer-plotting-terror-feds-say/?utm_term=.b9f82a46b178.

Hasson also researched U.S. military technical manuals on improvised munitions and tactical handbooks, visited thousands of websites selling firearms and tactical equipment, and ultimately acquired firearms, equipment, and ammunition.“United States of America vs. Christopher Paul Hasson – Motion for Detention Pending Trial,” United States District Court, District of Maryland, February 19, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/prosecutors-request-to-detain-christopher-hasson/3667d927-2a54-4131-8c6d-158fcedec287_note.html?questionId=9f4d57c1-cf7c-4287-b3ac-62f1b7697775&utm_term=.a675eeb68ecf. The Coast Guard has stated that Hasson’s alleged plot was flagged by an internal program that detected suspicious activity on his work computer. According to court documents filed in May 2019, Hasson used his Coast Guard computer for hours on a Thursday in February 2018, researching Adolf Hitler, Nazis, and Jewish enclaves in the United States.Lynh Bui, “Prosecutors fight pretrial release of Coast guard officer accused of planning an attack,” Washington Post, May 7, 2019,  https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/prosecutors-fight-pre-trial-release-of-coast-guard-officer-accused-in-terror-plot/2019/05/07/03b3cb3e-6b89-11e9-a66d-a82d3f3d96d5_story.html?utm_term=.95b3f652e570.

Hasson pleaded not guilty at his hearing on March 11, 2019.Michael Kunzelman, “Coast Guard officer accused of making hit list pleads not guilty,” Navy Times, March 11, 2019, https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2019/03/11/coast-guard-officer-accused-of-making-hit-list-pleads-not-guilty/. On April 25, 2019, a federal magistrate ruled that Hasson was entitled to pretrial release from custody and noted that Hasson had not yet been charged with any terrorism-related offenses.Michael Kunzelman, “Release approved for Coast Guard officer accused of terror,” Washington Post, April 25, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/coast-guard-lieutenant-accused-of-terrorism-denied-release/2019/04/25/67904b52-6790-11e9-a698-2a8f808c9cfb_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.e80ab1968d34.

On May 7, 2019, federal prosecutors in Maryland moved to block his release. Prosecutors appealed “on the basis of danger of the community posed by the defendant.”Lynh Bui, “Prosecutors fight pretrial release of Coast guard officer accused of planning an attack,” Washington Post, May 7, 2019,  https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/prosecutors-fight-pre-trial-release-of-coast-guard-officer-accused-in-terror-plot/2019/05/07/03b3cb3e-6b89-11e9-a66d-a82d3f3d96d5_story.html?utm_term=.95b3f652e570. On May 13, U.S. District Court Judge George Hazel ruled in favor of the government’s appeal and overturned the magistrate’s previous pretrial release decision, ordering Hasson to remain in custody pending trial.Michael Kunzelman, “Federal judge blocks release of coast Guard officer from Maryland who has been called a terrorist,” Associated Press, May 13, 2019, https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-federal-judge-blocks-release-of-coast-guard-hasson-0514-story.html. During the hearing, federal prosecutors presented weapons that Hasson modified to make an attack easier and stated his arrest prevented a “mass casualty event.” Hazel reportedly believed Hasson posed a potential danger to the community if released.Lynh Bui, “Coast Guard officer accused of plotting terrorist attack to remain jailed, judge says,” Washington Post, May 13, 2019,  https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/coast-guard-officer-accused-of-plotting-terror-attack-to-remain-jailed-judge-says/2019/05/13/d1b48430-741f-11e9-9f06-5fc2ee80027a_story.html?utm_term=.d5f7a2708c9b.

On October 3, 2019, Hasson pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of silencers, possession of firearms by a drug addict, and possession of a controlled substance.Christine Hauser, “Coast Guard Officer Called a ‘Domestic Terrorist’ Pleads Guilty to Gun and Drug Charges,” New York Times, October 3, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/us/christopher-hasson-coast-guard-white-supremacist.html. On January 31, 2020, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release.Michael Levenson, “Former Coast Guard Officer Accused of Plotting Terrorism Is Sentenced to 13 Years,” New York Times, January 31, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/31/us/christopher-hasson-coast-guard-terrorism.html.

On March 12, 2021, Hasson filed an appeal with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing the judge in his 2020 conviction improperly applied a “terrorism enhancement” that more than tripled the recommended range of a prison term under federal sentencing guidelines. In a separate case, the appeals court ruled a defendant does not need to be convicted of a federal crime of terrorism for the enhancement to be applied. A three-judge panel of the appeals court rejected Hasson’s argument and upheld his sentence on February 22, 2022. According to the court’s Hasson decision, the terrorism enhancement applies “whenever a defendant’s offense of conviction or relevant conduct was ‘intended to promote’ a federal crime of terrorism.”Michael Kunzelman, “Sentence upheld for Coast Guard officer tied to terror plot,” Associated Press, February 22, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/crime-sentencing-terrorism-060d2ed2d4a737fa0d09bf2ca40c7cf7.

Jamie Paulin Ramirez is a convicted Islamist extremist and supporter of an Ireland-based terrorist cell that conspired to conduct attacks throughout Europe—in particular, the murder of Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks.“United States of America v. Ali Charaf Damache – Government’s Change of Plea Memorandum,” U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, October 23, 2018, https://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/case_docs/3759.pdf; John Mooney, “Ali Charaf Damache: how did this jihadist end up in Ireland?” The Times (London), November 4, 2018, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ali-charaf-damache-how-did-this-jihadist-end-up-in-ireland-5crg7sc0b. Among those with whom Ramirez conspired were ringleader Ali Charaf Damache, and online recruiters Colleen LaRose and Mohammad Hassan Khalid. In September 2009, Ramirez traveled to Europe with the aim of supporting and participating in violent jihad. In March 2010, she was arrested in Ireland and released shortly after, before she traveled back to the United States knowing she would face criminal prosecution upon arrival.John Shiffman, “‘Jihad Jamie’ gets eight years in Jihad Jane case,” Reuters, January 8, 2014, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-jihadjane-idUSBREA0710J20140108; “Colorado woman indicted on terror charges,” CNN, April 3, 2010, http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/04/02/colorado.mom.terror.case/index.html. After pleading guilty, Ramirez was sentenced to eight years in prison for conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists in January 2014.“Colorado Woman Sentenced For Conspiracy To Provide Material Support To Terrorists,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 8, 2014, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/colorado-woman-sentenced-conspiracy-provide-material-support-terrorists.

According to her family, Ramirez married several times and moved often. Her mother described her as a lonely and insecure woman—“rootless and searching” and “easily brainwashed.” Ramirez worked as a clinic medial assistant and took online college classes to become a certified nurse practitioner. She was fascinated by other cultures, especially Mexico’s, and spoke fluent Spanish.Kirk Johnson and Liz Robbins, “U.S. Woman Held in Plot Is Released, Family Says,” New York Times, March 13, 2010, https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/us/14terror.html; Stephanie Simon, “Paulin-Ramirez’s Actions Raised Mother’s Concerns,” Wall Street Journal, March 13, 2010, https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704734304575119913693410050.

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, Ramirez denounced all Muslims as murderers, including her Muslim stepfather. Years later in April 2009, she converted to Islam herself, quickly after she began expressing interest and read a variety of texts, including “The Al Qaeda Reader,” a collection of speeches and online postings about jihad. Ramirez became increasingly estranged from her family. She spent hours in Islamic online chatrooms, gradually radicalizing, and even neglected her son. She criticized her stepfather again, but this time for not praying openly and at the appointed times.Kirk Johnson and Liz Robbins, “U.S. Woman Held in Plot Is Released, Family Says,” New York Times, March 13, 2010, https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/us/14terror.html; Stephanie Simon, “Paulin-Ramirez’s Actions Raised Mother’s Concerns,” Wall Street Journal, March 13, 2010, https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704734304575119913693410050.

In the summer of 2009, Ramirez and Collen LaRose (a.k.a. Jihad Jane) exchanged numerous email messages, in which LaRose invited her to Europe to attend a so-called training camp.“Colorado Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to Terrorists,” U.S. Department of Justice, March 8, 2011, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/colorado-woman-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-provide-material-support-terrorists. LaRose also introduced Ramirez to Ali Charaf Damache (a.k.a. Theblackflag) in an online chat.John Shiffman, “‘Jihad Jamie’ gets eight years in Jihad Jane case,” Reuters, January 8, 2014, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-jihadjane-idUSBREA0710J20140108. On September 12, Ramirez traveled to Ireland with her 6-year-old son and married Damache, whom she supported as a wife while he prepared for Islamist attacks.Kirk Johnson and Liz Robbins, “U.S. Woman Held in Plot Is Released, Family Says,” New York Times, March 13, 2010, https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/us/14terror.html; John Shiffman, “‘Jihad Jamie’ gets eight years in Jihad Jane case,” Reuters, January 8, 2014, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-jihadjane-idUSBREA0710J20140108. While there, Damache trained her son in the ways of violent jihad, and Ramirez had videotaped the boy discussing his desire to shoot kuffars (non-believers).“United States of America v. Ali Charaf Damache – Government’s Sentencing Memorandum,” U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, October 23, 2018, https://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/case_docs/3851.pdf; Jeremy Roebuck, “Al-Qaeda operative who recruited Montco’s ‘Jihad Jane’ pleads guilty, agrees to 15 years in prison,” Inquirer, July 23, 2018, https://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/philadelphia/ali-charaf-damache-al-qaeda-operative-jihad-jane-colleen-larose-guilty-plea-20180723.html. She later told FBI investigators that she realized her mistakes within months of arrival, and that Damache misled her and used her as a sex slave.John Mooney, “Ali Charaf Damache: how did this jihadist end up in Ireland?” The Times (London), November 4, 2018, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ali-charaf-damache-how-did-this-jihadist-end-up-in-ireland-5crg7sc0b; John Shiffman, “‘Jihad Jamie’ gets eight years in Jihad Jane case,” Reuters, January 8, 2014, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-jihadjane-idUSBREA0710J20140108.

In March 2010, Ramirez was arrested in Waterford, Ireland, where she had shared an apartment with Damache, but was released shortly after.John Shiffman, “‘Jihad Jamie’ gets eight years in Jihad Jane case,” Reuters, January 8, 2014, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-jihadjane-idUSBREA0710J20140108; “Colorado woman indicted on terror charges,” CNN, April 3, 2010, http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/04/02/colorado.mom.terror.case/index.html. On April 2, Ramirez traveled from Ireland to the United States, knowing that she would face criminal prosecution upon arrival. She was subsequently arrested by U.S. authorities and charged with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists.“Colorado woman indicted on terror charges,” CNN, April 3, 2010, http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/04/02/colorado.mom.terror.case/index.html. Ramirez was allegedly several months pregnant at the time of her arrest.Pray for: Jamie Paulin-Ramirez,” Adopt a Terrorist for Prayer, accessed March 18, 2019, https://atfp.org/adopt/terrorist/jamie-paulin-ramirez/.

According to the superseding indictment, Ramirez conspired together with Damache, LaRose, and Khalid to provide material support and resources to terrorists—including logistical support, recruitment services, and financial aid. They recruited several men and women through social media and chatrooms, who were willing to wage violent jihad in South Asia and Europe or possessed legitimate passports enabling them to travel to and around Europe in support of terrorist acts.“United States of America v. Mohammad Hassan Khalid – Government’s Change Of Plea Memorandum,” U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, March 27, 2012, https://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/case_docs/1964.pdf; “United States of America v. Ali Charaf Damache & Mohammad Hassan Khalid – Superseding Indictment,” U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, October 20, 2011, https://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/case_docs/1717.pdf. Unlike her three co-conspirators, Ramirez was not directly implicated in the plot to murder Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks, who has been targeted by jihadists since his 2007 cartoons depicted the Prophet Mohammad on a dog’s body. However, Ramirez pled guilty to the lesser offense of providing material support to terrorists.John Shiffman, “‘Jihad Jamie’ gets eight years in Jihad Jane case,” Reuters, January 8, 2014, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-jihadjane-idUSBREA0710J20140108.

In January 2014, Ramirez was sentenced to eight years in prison for conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, and an additional three years of supervised release.“Colorado Woman Sentenced For Conspiracy To Provide Material Support To Terrorists,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 8, 2014, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/colorado-woman-sentenced-conspiracy-provide-material-support-terrorists. Her co-conspirators Damache, LaRose, and Khalid were also convicted in a U.S. federal court on terrorism charges and sentenced to 15, 10, and five years in prison, respectively. Much of the evidence was based on online chatroom messages that the FBI intercepted.“United States of America v. Ali Charaf Damache – Government’s Sentencing Memorandum,” U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, October 23, 2018, https://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/case_docs/3851.pdf; “Algerian Terrorist is Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 30, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/algerian-terrorist-sentenced-15-years-imprisonment.

James Harris Jackson is a white supremacist who fatally stabbed a black man multiple times in New York City on March 20, 2017. On January 23, 2019, Jackson pled guilty to first-degree murder in furtherance of an act of terrorism, second-degree murder as a crime of terrorism, second-degree murder as a hate crime, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon in what became New York state’s first prosecution of a white supremacist on terrorism charges.David K. Li, “White supremacist pleads guilty to race-hate murder of black man in New York,” NBC News, January 23, 2019, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/white-supremacist-pleads-guilty-race-hate-murder-black-man-new-n961731. In a videotaped confession, Jackson said that he believed black people were “inferior” and had to be “exterminated.” He was sentenced to life in prison without parole—the maximum penalty under New York state law—in February.Jonathan Dienst, “White Supremacist Who Pleaded Guilty to NYC Sword Slaughter of Random Black Man Sentenced to Life in Prison Without Parole: DA,” NBC New York, February 13, 2019, https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/James-Jackson-Sword-Killing-White-Supremacist-Sentencing-505766751.html.

Jackson grew up with two brothers in a liberal middle-class family in Towson, Maryland. He graduated from Friends School of Baltimore, a private school serving students in pre-kindergarten through 12^th grade that embraces the Quaker principles of non-violence and equality. In March 2009, Jackson joined the U.S. Army as a military intelligence analyst. After being stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and then at Fort Huachuca in Arizona, Jackson was assigned to Germany in October 2009. In October 2010, he was deployed to Afghanistan where he wrote daily intelligence summaries and helped countering the threat of improvised explosive devices, according to his LinkedIn profile. Jackson left the military in 2012 and enrolled in a bachelor’s program in computer networks and security at the University of Maryland University College in 2013, but he did not complete his coursework.Jean Marbella, “A Baltimore man's inexplicable path from Quaker school to Army to Rikers Island cell,” The Baltimore Sun, April 14, 2017, https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-jackson-profile-20170414-story.html; David K. Li, “White supremacist pleads guilty to race-hate murder of black man in New York,” NBC News, January 23, 2019, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/white-supremacist-pleads-guilty-race-hate-murder-black-man-new-n961731.

On March 17, 2017, Jackson traveled from Baltimore to New York City with the intention of killing numerous black men.Ellen Moynihan and Stephen Rex Brown, “EXCLUSIVE: White supremacist James Jackson reveals deranged desire to kill black men to save white women in jailhouse interview,” Daily News, March 26, 2017, https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/james-jackson-twisted-regrets-killing-timothy-caughman-article-1.3009736; Jan Ransom, “White Supremacist Pleads Guilty to Killing Black Man in New York to Start a ‘Race War’,” New York Times, January 23, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/23/nyregion/timothy-caughman-white-supremacist-guilty.html. On March 20, he fatally stabbed Timothy Caughman, a 66-year-old black man who was collecting cans and bottles to recycle. Jackson claimed that Caughman’s murder was “practice” and that he initially planned to commit a larger attack against younger black men in Times Square.Jean Marbella, “A Baltimore man's inexplicable path from Quaker school to Army to Rikers Island cell,” The Baltimore Sun, April 14, 2017, https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-jackson-profile-20170414-story.html. He spent three days stalking different black men, eventually selecting Caughman as a target “because he was black and alone on a dark street.”David K. Li, “White supremacist pleads guilty to race-hate murder of black man in New York,” NBC News, January 23, 2019, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/white-supremacist-pleads-guilty-race-hate-murder-black-man-new-n961731. At about 11:15 p.m., Jackson attacked Caughman from behind and stabbed him with a 26-inch “Roman-style sword.” Caughman died shortly after. Jackson fled the scene, but turned himself in to police several hours later. He told detectives that he was processing, saying, “If I just stab another person what difference does that make? The point’s already been made.”Jean Marbella, “A Baltimore man's inexplicable path from Quaker school to Army to Rikers Island cell,” The Baltimore Sun, April 14, 2017, https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-jackson-profile-20170414-story.html; Kimberley Richards, “White supremacist told police he stabbed Timothy Caughman to death as ‘practice’ for larger race terror attack,” Independent, September 21, 2018, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/james-harris-jackson-timothy-caughman-baltimore-stabbing-ny-times-square-racist-attack-a8549011.html.

According to official reports, Jackson sought to commit a “terrorist attack” that would “influence the national conversation.”Kimberley Richards, “White supremacist told police he stabbed Timothy Caughman to death as ‘practice’ for larger race terror attack,” Independent, September 21, 2018, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/james-harris-jackson-timothy-caughman-baltimore-stabbing-ny-times-square-racist-attack-a8549011.html. He wanted to “inspire white men to kill black men, to scare black men and to provoke a race war.” His goal was “a global policy aimed at the complete extermination of the Negro race.”Jan Ransom, “White Supremacist Pleads Guilty to Killing Black Man in New York to Start a ‘Race War’,” New York Times, January 23, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/23/nyregion/timothy-caughman-white-supremacist-guilty.html. He had been “thinking about it for a long time, for the past couple of years.”Ellen Moynihan and Stephen Rex Brown, “EXCLUSIVE: White supremacist James Jackson reveals deranged desire to kill black men to save white women in jailhouse interview,” Daily News, March 26, 2017, https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/james-jackson-twisted-regrets-killing-timothy-caughman-article-1.3009736; Jan Ransom, “White Supremacist Pleads Guilty to Killing Black Man in New York to Start a ‘Race War’,” New York Times, January 23, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/23/nyregion/timothy-caughman-white-supremacist-guilty.html. He was particularly angered by interracial relationships between black men and white women.Daniella Silva, “White Supremacist James Harris Jackson Charged With Terrorism for Killing Black Man in NYC,” NBC News, March 27, 2017, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/terrorism-charges-white-man-accused-hunting-down-black-men-n739146; Ellen Moynihan and Stephen Rex Brown, “EXCLUSIVE: White supremacist James Jackson reveals deranged desire to kill black men to save white women in jailhouse interview,” Daily News, March 26, 2017, https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/james-jackson-twisted-regrets-killing-timothy-caughman-article-1.3009736. Jackson had shared his white supremacist and nationalist beliefs with like-minded people online, including on sites like the neo-Nazi website Daily Stormer. On YouTube, he allegedly subscribed to multiple white nationalist channels and liked racist videos, but did not upload original content himself.Jean Marbella, “A Baltimore man's inexplicable path from Quaker school to Army to Rikers Island cell,” The Baltimore Sun, April 14, 2017, https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-jackson-profile-20170414-story.html.

On March 27, 2017, Jackson was charged in New York State Supreme Court with first- and second-degree murder as an act of terrorism, second-degree murder as a hate crime as well as three counts of criminal possession of a weapon.Daniella Silva, “White Supremacist James Harris Jackson Charged With Terrorism for Killing Black Man in NYC,” NBC News, March 27, 2017, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/terrorism-charges-white-man-accused-hunting-down-black-men-n739146. He initially pled not guilty. In April 2017, Jackson’s parents decided to no longer pay for their son’s legal defense.Jean Marbella, “A Baltimore man's inexplicable path from Quaker school to Army to Rikers Island cell,” The Baltimore Sun, April 14, 2017, https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-jackson-profile-20170414-story.html. On January 23, 2019, Jackson pled guilty to murder in furtherance of terrorism and criminal possession of a weapon.David K. Li, “White supremacist pleads guilty to race-hate murder of black man in New York,” NBC News, January 23, 2019, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/white-supremacist-pleads-guilty-race-hate-murder-black-man-new-n961731. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole—the maximum penalty under New York state law—on February 13, 2019.Jonathan Dienst, “White Supremacist Who Pleaded Guilty to NYC Sword Slaughter of Random Black Man Sentenced to Life in Prison Without Parole: DA,” NBC New York, February 13, 2019, https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/James-Jackson-Sword-Killing-White-Supremacist-Sentencing-505766751.html.

Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance said of Caughman’s murder, “This was a case of terrorism, just as any Islamic jihadist who has come to New York City and sought to kill New Yorkers in an effort to interrupt and destabilize our way of life.”David K. Li, “White supremacist pleads guilty to race-hate murder of black man in New York,” NBC News, January 23, 2019, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/white-supremacist-pleads-guilty-race-hate-murder-black-man-new-n961731.

Shaker Masri is a convicted Islamic extremist and attempted foreign fighter for al-Shabab. He planned to join the Somali-based terror group in August 2010, but was arrested in Chicago prior to his departure.“Chicago Man Arrested For Attempting To Provide Material Support To A Terrorist Organization,” U.S. Department of Justice, August 4, 2010, https://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/case_docs/3263.pdf. In July 2012, he pled guilty to attempting to provide material support and planning to travel abroad to fight for a designated foreign terrorist organization.“Chicago Man Pleads Guilty to Planning Travel to Somalia to Join al Shabaab Terrorist Organization in Jihad Combat,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, July 30, 2012, https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/chicago/press-releases/2012/chicago-man-pleads-guilty-to-planning-travel-to-somalia-to-join-al-shabaab-terrorist-organization-in-jihad-combat. On December 11, he was sentenced to nine years and 10 months in federal prison.“Chicago Man Sentenced to Nearly 10 Years in Prison for Planning Travel to Somalia to Join al Shabaab in Jihad Combat,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, December 11, 2012, https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/chicago/press-releases/2012/chicago-man-sentenced-to-nearly-10-years-in-prison-for-planning-travel-to-somalia-to-join-al-shabaab-in-jihad-combat. In August 2017, Masri was released early from prison and moved into a halfway house in Chicago, where he will be on supervised released for the following 20 years. He claims to now reject jihadist ideology.Nicole Hong, “Are Terrorists Ready for Life After Prison?” Wall Street Journal, April 25, 2018, https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-struggles-to-prepare-convicted-terrorists-for-life-after-prison-1524648602.

Masri was born in Alabama to Syrian immigrants. He then grew up in Nigeria, where he had a comfortable and financially stable childhood. In 2001, Masri moved to Chicago to attend university, but never graduated.Nicole Hong, “Are Terrorists Ready for Life After Prison?” Wall Street Journal, April 25, 2018, https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-struggles-to-prepare-convicted-terrorists-for-life-after-prison-1524648602. According to authorities, Masri started to radicalize in early 2009, espousing increasingly violent views and openly expressing his desire to engage in “jihad” and fight against “infidels.”“Chicago Man Arrested For Attempting To Provide Material Support To A Terrorist Organization,” U.S. Department of Justice, August 4, 2010, https://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/case_docs/3263.pdf. He watched martyrdom videos and read online lectures of now-deceased American-born al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.“United States of America v. Shaker Masri – Criminal Complaint,” United States District Court, Northern District Of Illinois, Eastern Division, August 3, 2010, https://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/case_docs/1353.pdf.

Over several conversations in July 2010, Masri told a friend—who secretly cooperated with the FBI—that he intended to travel to Somalia and join al-Shabab and participate in a suicide mission. Masri was determined, but lacked the necessary financial resources to travel to the conflict zone. The FBI’s cooperating source offered to use his money on the condition that he be allowed to join Masri. The two often met to discuss their proposed travel, including prospective routes, dates, costs, ways to conceal their departure, and the weapons they would need to acquire in Somalia. Rather than traveling directly to the region, Masri suggested that both men fly from Chicago to Los Angeles, and cross the U.S. border into Mexico. From there, they could transit through another Central or South American country before leaving for East Africa. They eventually booked a flight from Chicago to Los Angeles departing on August 4, 2010.“Chicago Man Sentenced to Nearly 10 Years in Prison for Planning Travel to Somalia to Join al Shabaab in Jihad Combat,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, December 11, 2012, https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/chicago/press-releases/2012/chicago-man-sentenced-to-nearly-10-years-in-prison-for-planning-travel-to-somalia-to-join-al-shabaab-in-jihad-combat.

On August 3, 2010, Masri was arrested by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force in Chicago and charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and attempting to provide material support through the use of a weapon of mass destruction. The latter charge was issued due to his intent to volunteer for a suicide mission, as he would offer himself as a weapon of mass destruction.“Chicago Man Arrested For Attempting To Provide Material Support To A Terrorist Organization,” U.S. Department of Justice, August 4, 2010, https://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/case_docs/3263.pdf; “United States of America v. Shaker Masir – Government’s Sentencing Memorandum,” United States District Court, Northern District Of Illinois, Eastern Division, November 29, 2012, https://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/case_docs/2080.pdf. He pled guilty to all charges.“Chicago Man Pleads Guilty to Planning Travel to Somalia to Join al Shabaab Terrorist Organization in Jihad Combat,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, July 30, 2012, https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/chicago/press-releases/2012/chicago-man-pleads-guilty-to-planning-travel-to-somalia-to-join-al-shabaab-terrorist-organization-in-jihad-combat. On December 11, 2012, he was sentenced to nine years and 10 months in federal prison with supervised release for 20 years after his incarceration.“Chicago Man Sentenced to Nearly 10 Years in Prison for Planning Travel to Somalia to Join al Shabaab in Jihad Combat,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, December 11, 2012, https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/chicago/press-releases/2012/chicago-man-sentenced-to-nearly-10-years-in-prison-for-planning-travel-to-somalia-to-join-al-shabaab-in-jihad-combat.

In August 2017, Masri was released from prison, moved into a halfway house in Chicago, and began working in online sales. In a 2018 interview in the Wall Street Journal, Masri claims to now reject jihadist ideology.Nicole Hong, “Are Terrorists Ready for Life After Prison?” Wall Street Journal, April 25, 2018, https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-struggles-to-prepare-convicted-terrorists-for-life-after-prison-1524648602.