Abdurrahim Jalal has been found guilty of using explosives to destroy a bank ATM and possessing illegal explosive devices. U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg emphasized the severity of such crimes, stating, “Criminals who use dangerous explosives to commit crimes will face federal prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.” He added that actions threatening public safety would not be tolerated.
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown commented on Jalal's actions, saying, “Jalal put his own greed ahead of the safety of our community. The FBI will use every resource available to find anyone who would go to the extreme use of a bomb to illegally obtain money.”
ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka also addressed the threat posed by explosives in criminal activities: "The use of explosives in criminal activities poses an immense threat to public safety, and we will continue to work diligently to ensure that those who engage in such acts are brought to justice."
According to court details provided by U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, Jalal was convicted on several charges including bank theft and arson after a bench trial held on June 23, 2025. Evidence showed that Jalal used a pipe bomb on March 29, 2023, to blow up an ATM in Decatur, Georgia, stealing approximately $88,000 from its vault. A search warrant led investigators to discover additional pipe bombs at his residence.
Sentencing for Abdurrahim Jalal is set for September 22, 2025. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years with potential imprisonment up to 60 years followed by supervised release. The final sentence will consider United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with local DeKalb County authorities.
Assistant United States Attorney Dash A. Cooper is handling prosecution duties for this case.
For more information or inquiries contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office via email at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or phone (404) 581-6185. Additional details can be found on their website: http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
