Man convicted of terrorism conspiracy sentenced to 15 years in federal prison
By Ben Morgan – KRMG News11/20/2025 7:53am OKLAHOMA – One man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for his involvement in a terrorist conspiracy. Abdullah Haji Zada, 19, was convicted on charges of knowingly receiving, attempting to receive, and conspiring to receive a firearm and ammunition to be used to commit a federal crime of terrorism. Zada is an undocumented immigrant from Afghanistan. He was arrested in October 2024 alongside co-conspirator Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi. “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.” At the time of his arrest, Zada was 17. He entered a guilty plea as an adult on April 17, 2025. Zada and Tawhedi were identified as suspects in a 2024 Election Day terrorist attack plan that court documents say was on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). According to court documents, Zada and Tawhedi received two AK-47 rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition. “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.” Tawhedi pleaded guilty on June 13, 2025, to charges of conspiring and attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS and conspiring to receive firearms and ammunition in furtherance of a federal crime of terrorism. Tawhedi has not yet been sentenced, and a date has not been set, however, he is facing up to 20 years in prison for the material support charge and up to 15 years for the firearms charge. “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.” Once both Zada and Tawhedi finish their prison sentences, both will be removed from the United States and barred from reentry permanently. They will be sent to Afghanistan.
