FBI raids Inkster facility; 2 face terrorist charges
Two of the five men detained last week following FBI raids at an Inkster storage facility and homes in Dearborn have been charged with plotting a terrorist attack set for Halloween weekend.
Two men, Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud, were arrested in connection with the raids The two are facing charges of receiving and transferring firearms and ammunition, and “attempting and conspiring to do so, knowing these items would be used to commit a federal crime of terrorism,” according to the 73-page criminal complaint filed by federal prosecutors.
Federal investigators say they found more than 1,600 rounds of ammunition, multiple firearms including AR 15-style weapons and tactical vests during the raids.
Five men, ages 16-20 were initially detained and questioned following the raids, but only Ali and Mahmoud have been criminally charged. Prosecutors claim the pair, along with an unnamed juvenile co-conspirator, allegedly planned a terrorist attack for Halloween weekend in support of ISIS. The men are also accused of scouting potential targets, such as LGBTQ+-friendly bars.
If convicted, Ali and Mahmoud could receive sentences of up to 15 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
Inkster Police Chief Tamika Jenkins confirmed the law enforcement activities took place at the storage facility in the city.
Officials seized electronics and boxes of evidence from the storage facility in Inkster and agents reportedly were seen "hauling away electronics and boxes of evidence" including the seizure of a computer and files of papers. The Inkster storage unit was allegedly rented by Ali.
The federal investigation involved the discovery of online third-party discussions which took place from July through October using encrypted language. Phone and internet conversations, allegedly reported by a “confidential informant” stated that the "brothers" were planning to conduct a “Pumpkin Day” attack on behalf of the Islamic State terrorist group, according to prosecutors.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced in a social media post last weekend that “the FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested multiple subjects in Michigan who were allegedly plotting a violent attack over Halloween weekend.”
Amir Makled, a defense attorney representing 20-year-old Ali of Dearborn, disputed the allegations against his client.
He described the men detained, all U.S. citizens, as “gamers.” He said his client had “a lawful interest in recreational firearms."
"There is no evidence whatsoever of a planned terror or ‘mass casualty’ plot,” Makled said.
