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FIRST ON FOX: In a shocking development from New Jersey, a 19-year-old accused of plotting to join remnants of the Islamic State group has been arrested. This arrest follows a thwarted terror attack targeting gay bars in Michigan. Tomas Kaan Jimenez-Guzel, of Montclair, was found posing in front of an ISIS flag, while another alleged conspirator wore jihadi fatigues in images intercepted by federal agents. These photos were shared in a group chat where the suspects joked about FBI monitoring their conversations.
Both suspects had previously attracted the attention of the FBI.
Details of the Suspect’s Intentions
Tomas Kaan Jimenez-Guzel allegedly volunteered to conduct ISIS-style on-camera beheadings during a video call with suspected co-conspirators. He expressed a desire to have a Wikipedia entry and a documentary about his actions. Previously, he was interviewed by the FBI in 2024, after reportedly predicting a dramatic “newsworthy” terror attack in Boston.
Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, revealed that a sixth suspect, Saed Ali Mirreh, also 19, from Kent, Washington, is accused of conspiracy to support a designated foreign terrorist organization. Mirreh was under investigation by the FBI for associations with a juvenile terror suspect in Canada and discussions regarding additional ISIS attacks.
The Rising Threat of Domestic Terrorism
Habba emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that the threat of domestic terrorism remains very real. She connected these suspects to another group of individuals arrested in suburban Detroit, who were found with an arsenal of firearms and ammunition earlier in the week.
Mirreh, identified as the “finance guy,” allegedly raised thousands of dollars for a planned trip to Syria, facilitated by an online scammer known only as “Bob,” reportedly located in Sweden.
Arrests Take Shape
Authorities apprehended Mirreh at his home in Washington just hours before he was due to fly from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Istanbul, Turkey. Simultaneously, Jimenez-Guzel was arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport after unexpectedly moving his flight from November 17 to November 5.
Federal agents also detained Milo Sedarat, a 21-year-old resident of Montclair and the son of an Iranian-American poet. Tactical agents were seen outside Sedarat’s home during the arrest.
An Alarming Awareness
It appears that the suspects were aware their conversations could be monitored. During their exchanges, they made light of the FBI’s oversight, sharing selfies with obscured faces. In one instance, Mirreh allegedly suggested that everyone should be prepared to “unalive” someone, using colloquial terminology to sidestep content restrictions.
In another conversation, Jimenez-Guzel proposed a strategy to mislead authorities. Following a series of arrests of suspected accomplices in Dearborn, Michigan, he reportedly warned his group that “there’s a lot of urgent stuff we need to discuss.” He indicated that their exposure was imminent, stating, “If we don’t leave, we are cooked.”
Background of the Suspects
Jimenez-Guzel’s connections raise eyebrows; his mother, Meral Guzel, heads the U.N.’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Accelerator, a program focused on women’s rights. Her profile highlights her commitment to gender equality and inclusive growth.
Both Jimenez-Guzel and Sedarat have been formally charged. Jimenez-Guzel faces serious allegations, including conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, carrying a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 if convicted. Sedarat faces two counts of transmitting threats in interstate or foreign commerce, which could result in a maximum of five years in prison and an identical fine.
Legal Proceedings Expected
Neither suspect entered pleas during their initial court appearances. Sedarat’s father, Roger Sedarat, a well-known poet and professor, accompanied by a lawyer, quietly observed the proceedings without comment.
The Broader Implications
Three additional individuals, including two brothers, were arrested in Dearborn, identified as Majed Mahmoud, 20, Mohmed Ali, 20, and Ali’s younger brother Ayob Nasser, 19. These individuals are also suspected of planning to execute the foiled Halloween terror plot through a series of coordinated attacks.
Jimenez-Guzel, Mirreh, and their co-conspirators allegedly plotted to travel to Turkey, then Syria, to join ISIS as combatants. Federal investigators intercepted discussions amongst the group wherein they codified their plans to carry out the Halloween plot, referred to as “pumpkin,” discussing the joining of ISIS, a group notorious for its extreme violence and terrorist activities.
Future Developments
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have indicated that more arrests may follow as they untangle the network of suspects involved in this disturbing plot. As these events unfold, the urgency to address homegrown terrorism becomes even more pressing.
Report contributed by Fox News’ Maria Paronich.
