A chilling plot to unleash violence on American soil has been disrupted with a series of arrests across New Jersey and Michigan. Authorities uncovered a network allegedly inspired by ISIS, poised to strike with terrifying precision.
The investigation began with the apprehension of Mohmed Ali, 20, and Majed Mahmoud, 19, in Dearborn, Michigan – a city with a significant Muslim population. Evidence quickly pointed to a planned attack timed around Halloween weekend, a detail concealed within coded language.
The alleged scheme involved detailed planning, stockpiled weaponry, and a disturbing level of commitment. Investigators discovered multiple AR-15 rifles, tactical gear, and over 1,600 rounds of ammunition, alongside evidence of extensive firing range practice.
Encrypted communications revealed the chilling scope of the plot. Suspects discussed targeting crowded venues, referencing the horrific 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting as a potential model. The term “pumpkins” was reportedly used as a sinister code for the planned date of attack.
The network’s ambitions extended beyond domestic terror. Documents indicate a desire for travel to Syria for advanced training, aiming to bolster their capabilities and solidify allegiance to ISIS.
Further arrests brought the investigation to New Jersey, revealing a disturbing connection to prominent families. Milo Sedarat, 19, son of acclaimed Iranian-American poet Roger Sedarat, was taken into custody at his Montclair home.
Alongside Sedarat, Tomas Kaan Jimenez-Guzel, 19, the son of a United Nations diplomat, was arrested at Newark Airport. He was attempting to board a flight to Turkey, allegedly en route to join ISIS forces in Syria.
Court documents paint a horrifying picture of the suspects’ ideology. Communications detailed fantasies of brutal violence, including slitting throats, beheadings, and the enslavement of Jewish communities. Sedarat reportedly expressed a desire to execute 500 Jewish people.
The level of depravity is further underscored by a chilling exchange where suspects discussed who would carry out the most gruesome acts. Jimenez-Guzel chillingly volunteered to perform beheadings, offering a cold, calculated “I’ll do it, bro.”
Intelligence suggested Jimenez-Guzel had previously attracted the attention of authorities. An earlier FBI interview occurred after he allegedly alluded to a potential terror attack in Boston during a livestream broadcast. Some within the group even joked he could become the next “Jihadi John.”
The swift action by law enforcement appears to have thwarted the attack before it could be carried out. The unsealed court documents confirm that, while the plot was meticulously planned, it never reached the execution stage.
Those arrested now face significant consequences, potentially facing up to 20 years in prison for each charge, alongside substantial fines and a lifetime of supervised release. The investigation continues, seeking to fully dismantle the network and understand the extent of its reach.
