A Cumming man pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to planning an attack on the White House and other national monuments using weapons and explosives he attempted to buy from undercover federal agents.
Hasher Jallal Taheb, 23, will be sentenced June 23, according to a news release Wednesday from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The plea is the result of an investigation lasting over a year that began with a tip from a member of the community, who told local law enforcement that Taheb had become radicalized and was planning to travel abroad. The local law enforcement notified the FBI.
“Taheb planned to conduct a terrorist attack on the White House as part of what he claimed was his obligation to engage in jihad,” said John C. Demers, assistant attorney general for national security. “And that was just one of the iconic American landmarks he wanted to target.”
During an undercover operation, federal investigators learned in October 2018 that Taheb had applied for a U.S. passport so he could travel overseas. The FBI also learned that Taheb was planning domestic attacks as part of his desire to engage in jihad. His targets included the White House and the Statue of Liberty. Later, investigators expanded the target list to include the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and a synagogue.
Undercover agents met with Taheb in January 2019 and he showed them sketches of the White House and described the weapons and explosives he wished to use in the attack, including semi-automatic weapons, improvised explosive devices, an anti-tank weapon and hand grenades.
Taheb was arrested later in January after he arrived at a pre-arranged location where he thought he was going to obtain the weapons.
“Taheb hatched a dangerous plan that would have resulted in unimaginable injury,” U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak said. “We are grateful to community members who noticed his dangerous evolution and alerted law enforcement. Along with our federal, state and local partners, we will remain vigilant in order to disrupt these types of attacks before they happen.”
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes the U.S. Secret Service, is investigating this case. The Forsyth County Sheriff Office and Gwinnett County Police Department also provided assistance.
