Abdullah Haji Zada, a 19-year-old Afghan national and lawful permanent resident of the United States, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for his role in plotting a terrorist attack on Election Day in November 2024. The sentencing was announced after Zada pleaded guilty to receiving and conspiring to receive firearms and ammunition intended for use in an act of terrorism.
Court documents show that Zada and co-conspirator Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, also from Afghanistan, obtained two AK-47-style rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition. Authorities say the weapons were meant for an attack on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), which is designated as a foreign terrorist organization. Both men were arrested in October 2024.
"Zada was welcomed into the United States and provided with all the opportunities available to residents of our Nation, yet he chose to embrace terrorism and plot an ISIS-inspired attack on Election Day,” said John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. “Today’s sentence, and Zada’s eventual removal from the United States, reflect the seriousness of his betrayal and our commitment to using every tool at our disposal to detect and disrupt such plots.”
“With today’s sentencing, Zada will pay the price for participating in a plot last year to conduct an ISIS-inspired Election Day terrorist attack,” said Assistant Director Donald Holstead of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “Detecting and preventing acts of terrorism against the American people is an essential part of the FBI’s mission. We will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to protect our communities.”
“The sentence today reflects the gravity of the planned terrorist attack, which was thwarted by the exceptional work of law enforcement,” said United States Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma. “The Department of Justice remains vigilant and focused to detect, deter, and disrupt acts of terrorism and hold offenders accountable.”
“By hatching a violent plot against the United States on behalf of ISIS, the defendant and his co-conspirator shamefully turned their backs on the country that provided them safety and refuge,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater. “I’m extremely proud of the swift and coordinated action taken by the Oklahoma City Joint Terrorism Task Force as soon as this disturbing plan was uncovered. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will never relent in our fight against terrorism, and in protecting the American people from those who wish them harm.”
At age 17 during his arrest but tried as an adult, Zada entered his guilty plea on April 17, 2025. As part of his plea agreement, he accepted a judicial order requiring his removal from the U.S. following incarceration; this order will end his lawful permanent resident status. He also waived most rights to appeal or seek relief from deportation.
U.S. District Judge Scott L. Palk handed down Zada's sentence at a hearing held today.
Tawhedi pleaded guilty on June 13, 2025, to conspiracy charges involving providing material support to ISIS as well as receiving firearms for terrorism purposes. He faces up to 20 years for material support charges plus up to 15 years related to firearms offenses; sentencing is pending.
Both men are set for permanent removal from the United States after serving their sentences under judicial orders barring reentry.
The investigation involved multiple agencies coordinated through Oklahoma City’s Joint Terrorism Task Force including Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement; U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services; U.S Marshals Service; state police agencies; local police departments; college campus police forces; among others.
Prosecution was led by Assistant U.S Attorneys Jessica L Perry and Matt Dillon (Western District Oklahoma), Everett McMillian (National Security Division), additional trial attorneys from National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section as well as Mark Stoneman (Money Laundering/Narcotics/Forfeiture Section).
