Enid, OK – An 18-year-old Afghan national accused of plotting a terrorist attack timed to coincide with the 2024 U.S. Election Day has pleaded guilty in federal court, officials announced Thursday.
Abdullah Haji Zada, 18, admitted to attempting to acquire firearms and ammunition in connection with the alleged plot. He was arrested in October 2024 alongside another suspect, Nasir Tawhedi, after FBI agents intervened during what authorities described as a weapons purchase attempt in a rural area of Oklahoma. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the two allegedly sought to obtain two AK-47 assault rifles, ten high-capacity magazines, and 500 rounds of ammunition.
Federal prosecutors said the attempted purchase was part of a broader plan linked to terrorist activity, though specific details about the plot’s targets or scope remain limited due to ongoing legal proceedings.
Tawhedi, also 18, has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. He faces charges of conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS, as well as attempting to receive, or conspiring to receive, a firearm intended for use in a federal crime of terrorism.
Court records indicate that both men were under investigation for suspected connections to extremist ideology. Authorities have not disclosed how long the pair had been under surveillance, but FBI agents reportedly intercepted their efforts before any weapons were obtained.
“This case underscores the continued threat posed by individuals influenced by extremist ideologies, including those acting within the United States,” said a spokesperson for the Department of Justice. “The swift action of law enforcement likely prevented a potentially devastating act of violence.”
Haji Zada is expected to be sentenced in the coming months. He faces significant prison time under federal anti-terrorism statutes.
The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office have declined to comment further on the specifics of the investigation, citing the ongoing nature of the case against Tawhedi.
The arrests came just weeks before the 2024 general election and raised concerns about domestic security during a period of heightened political tensions. Homeland security officials confirmed that there was no credible threat to polling places or voters at the time of the arrests.
