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INITIATIVE
Domestic Terrorism Post-9/11 (2001-2011)
During the ten years following September 11th, 2001 there were over 100 incidents of "home-grown" or domestic terrorism in the United States. To provide a valuable resource on this topic, the Crime Commission has compiled an extensive database of incidents including attacks, plots, support for, membership in, or connections with a terrorist organization. While information about terrorist incidents are available elsewhere, both on and off the Internet, the Crime Commission's database is unique in providing a centralized, concise, user-friendly, and visually engaging informational resource on domestic terrorism. read more »
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February 3, 2010
Missouri
Khalid Ouazzani
Support: Material
Al Qaeda
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U.S. citizen provides financial support to Al Qaeda
Khalid Ouazzani, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Morocco, was indicted in federal court on February 3, 2010, for conspiring to provide support to Al Qaeda.
Ouazzani sent money to Al Qaeda in 2007 and 2008, and committed other crimes including money laundering and bank fraud. Ouazzani also admitted discussing performing other tasks for Al Qaeda, including traveling to fight overseas. He also admitted to swearing an oath of allegiance to Al Qaeda in 2008.
On May 19, 2010, Ouazzani pleaded guilty to bank fraud, money laundering and conspiracy to provide material support to Al Qaeda in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. He continues to await sentencing.
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March 2010
Yemen
Sharif Mobley
Support: Personnel
Al Qaeda
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U.S. citizen, former nuclear plant employee, joins Al Qaeda
Sharif Mobley, a U.S. citizen who had formerly worked at U.S. nuclear power plants, traveled to Yemen in 2008 and allegedly joined Al Qaeda. He was arrested in Yemen in March 2010 for alleged involvement in terrorist attacks.
Before he moved to Yemen, Mobley had worked as a maintenance worker at three nuclear power plants in New Jersey between 2002 and 2008. This raised concerns that he had supplied security information about nuclear plants to terrorist organizations.
In October 2010 he was charged with murdering a Yemeni soldier and wounding another during a failed attempt to escape from authorities. He continues to await trial in Yemen.
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March 26, 2010
Chicago, IL
Raja Lahrasib Khan
Support: Material
Al Qaeda,
Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami,
Ilyas Kashmiri
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Naturalized U.S. citizen attempts to provide financial support to Al Qaeda
Raja Lahrasib Khan, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Pakistan, sent money to Ilyas Kashmiri, a terrorist leader based in western Pakistan.
Khan, a taxi driver in Chicago, is accused of sending money to Ilyas Kashmiri, a terrorist leader who is affiliated with Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami, a terrorist organization based in Pakistan and linked to Al Qaeda. Khan also accepted money from an undercover officer and indicated the money would be used to buy weapons.
Khan was arrested by the FBI on March 26, 2010. He was indicted on April 1, 2010, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. On February 2, 2012, Khan pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Khan was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison followed by lifetime supervised release on June 8, 2012.
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March 28, 2010
Michigan
David Brian Stone, Sr.,
Joshua Matthew Stone,
Joshua Clough
Plot: Bomb
Hutaree,
Anti-Government
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Hutaree members plot to kill police officials
On March 28, 2010, nine members of the Hutaree, a group of apocalyptic Christian militants, were arrested for plotting to kill police officers in an effort to promote an anti-government uprising and trying to use weapons of mass destruction. The group, which was composed of U.S. citizens, planned to kill an unidentified law enforcement officer and then attack the victim's funeral using improvised explosive devices (IED).
The group, based about 70 miles southwest of Detroit, MI, had been meeting since at least August 2008. Members of the organization were arrested in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan indictment charges included: seditious conspiracy; conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction; use and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. On December 5, 2011, Joshua Clough pleaded guilty to use of a firearm during a crime of violence. On March 28, 2012, the U.S. District Judge granted a motion for judgment of acquittal on the conspiracy charges for all nine members of the group. David Brian Stone, Sr., the allegedly leader of the Hutaree, and one of his sons, Joshua Matthew Stone pleaded guilty to the remaining weapons charges on March 29, 2012. Joshua Clough, David Brian Stone, Sr., and Joshua Matthew Stone were sentenced to time served and two years supervised release on August 8, 2012.
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April 2010
Virginia, Yemen
Anwar al-Awlaki
Support: Personnel
Al Qaeda
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U.S. citizen, radical cleric, declares war on United States
Anwar al-Awlaki, a U.S. citizen, spent years in the U.S. as an imam, is believed to be an Al Qaeda operative who has not only encouraged, but also directly participated in, attacks on Americans. In April 2010 it was reported that the Obama administration had authorized the targeted killing of al-Awlaki.
In March 2010 al-Awlaki reportedly declared war on the United States, saying, "America as a whole has turned into a nation of evil," and, "jihad against America is binding upon myself, just as it is binding on every other able Muslim." Authorities say Al-Awlaki inspired numerous terrorism cases including: Major Nidal Malik Hasan, the Army psychiatrist accused of killing 13 people at Fort Hood, TX; Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian man accused of trying to blow up a Detroit-bound airliner on December 25, 2009; and Faisal Shahzad, who attempted to set off a bomb in Times Square. Al-Awlaki's preaching, which endorses violence as a religious duty, proved persuasive to these English-speaking radicalized individuals in part because of his unaccented, idiomatic command of the language, according to counter-terrorism officials. Two of the 9/11 hijackers prayed at al-Awlaki's mosques in San Diego, CA and Falls Church, VA.
Al-Awlaki was killed by a U.S. drone aircraft attack on September 30, 2011 in Yemen.
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April 30, 2010
New York
Wesam El-Hanafi,
Sabirhan Hasanoff
Support: Expert Advice
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
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Two men provide computer expertise to Al Qaeda
Wesam El-Hanafi, a U.S. citizen, and Sabirhan Hasanoff, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Australia, were indicted in federal court on April 30, 2010, on charges that they offered to help Al Qaeda modernize by providing their expertise in computer systems.
El-Hanafi and Hasanoff are accused of assisting Al Qaeda beginning November 2007. El-Hanafi met with two members of Al Qaeda in Yemen in 2008 and received instructions on operational security measures and assignments from the group. El-Hanafi and Hasanoff sent money to Al Qaeda via international wire transfers and couriers, and provided instructions on how to communicate covertly over the internet. The two men also swore an oath of allegiance to Al Qaeda. El-Hanafi and Hasanoff were arrested in the United Arab Emirates and were transferred into United States custody in 2010.
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York indictment charged El-Hanafi and Hasanoff with providing material support, including money and computer advice, to Al Qaeda. On September 14, 2010, a superseding indictment charged three additional charges including violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. In June 2012, El-Hanafi and Hasanoff pleaded guilty to providing material support, including financial support, equipment, and technical advice, to al Qaeda associates in Yemen and elsewhere, and to conspiring to provide material support to al Qaeda. They face a maximum of 20 years imprisonment.
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May 1, 2010
New York, NY
Faisal Shahzad
Attack: Bomb
Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan,
Anwar al-Awlaki
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Attempted Bombing in Times Square
Faisal Shahzad, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Pakistan, attempted to detonate a bomb inside a vehicle parked in New York City's Times Square on May 1, 2010. When the bomb failed to explode, Shahzad returned home and was arrested two days later at John F. Kennedy International airport as he attempted to flee to Dubai.
Shahzad reportedly became radicalized beginning in 2004 when he started to take an interest in jihadist ideology, listening to the Internet sermons of radical clerics including Anwar al-Awlaki and Abdullah el-Faisal. After his arrest, Shahzad admitted to collaborating with the militant group Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, which helped to inspire, fund and train him in the months prior to the attempted bombing. Several months before the incident Shahzad admitted he spent 40 days with the group in Waziristan, where he received five days of bomb training. Authorities found the abandoned car bomb in Times Square after a street vendor reported the parked vehicle was smoking. The contents of the vehicle included fertilizer, filled propane tanks and fireworks. Investigators were able to trace keys recovered from inside the car to locks on Shahzad's Connecticut home and his other vehicle.
Shahzad pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on June 21, 2010, to charges including attempting to commit an act of terror, attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, and traveling over an international border to commit an act of terrorism. In October 2010 he was sentenced to life in prison.
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May 30, 2010
Texas
Barry Walter Bujol, Jr.
Support: Material
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula,
Anwar al-Awlaki
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U.S. citizen attempts to provide material support to a terrorist group
On May 30, 2010, U.S. citizen Barry Walter Bujol, Jr. was arrested after he boarded a ship headed for the Middle East with equipment he had acquired for a terrorist group overseas.
Bujol corresponded via e-mail with radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki (who declared war on the U.S. in 2010) beginning in 2008, asking for his advice about helping Al Qaeda. From Yemen, al-Awlaki sent him a copy of his text "42 Ways of Supporting Jihad." Once the FBI learned of the correspondence, they began a sting operation involving an undercover informant who claimed to be a member of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula ("AQAP"). Bujol told the informant that he wanted to join AQAP and fight overseas, and acquired several items for the group, including currency, pre-paid telephone calling cards, mobile telephone SIM cards, global positioning system receivers, U.S. military publications, including one involving unmanned aerial vehicle operations, and a military-issue compass, among other materials.
On June 3, 2010, Bujol was indicted in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Bujol was convicted on November 14, 2011, of trying to provide material support to a terrorist organization, as well as aggravated identity theft. He was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and $10,000 fine, on May 24, 2012.
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June 5, 2010
New Jersey
Mohamed M. Alessa,
Carlos Eduardo Almonte
Support: Personnel
Al Shabaab
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Two New Jersey men try to join Al Shabaab
Two U.S. citizens living in New Jersey, Mohamed Mahmood Alessa and Carlos Eduardo Almonte, were arrested on June 5, 2010, for attempting to join Al Shabaab in order to kill U.S. soldiers.
Authorities had been monitoring Alessa and Almonte since the FBI received a tip regarding their activities in 2006. An undercover NYPD officer also recorded several conversations with the men, who had also purchased military equipment and clothing. Alessa and Almonte said they felt obligated to engage in violent jihad, and were also willing to commit violent acts in the United States. "My soul cannot rest until I shed blood," Alessa told an undercover officer.
In March 2011 Alessa and Almonte pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey to conspiring to kill people outside the U.S. They continue to await sentencing.
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July 21, 2010
Virginia
Zachary Chesser
Support: Personnel
Al Shabaab,
Anwar al-Awlaki
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U.S. citizen tries to join Al Shabaab
Zachary Chesser, U.S. citizen living in northern Virginia, was arrested on July 21, 2010, for supporting Al Shabaab.
Chesser, a Muslim convert, was arrested two weeks after he tried to board a plane going to Uganda, en route to Somalia, where he sought to join Al Shabaab. Chesser had come to the attention of authorities after he threatened the creators of the television show "South Park" for mocking the prophet Muhammad.
Chesser admitted he tried to join Al Shabaab in Somalia and that he posted online propaganda for the group. Chesser, who was a follower of Anwar al-Awlaki, also pleaded guilty to making threats and soliciting violent crimes. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on February 24, 2011.
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July 21, 2010
Alaska
Paul Rockwood, Jr.,
Nadia Piroska Maria Rockwood
Plot: Assassination
Anwar al-Awlaki
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U.S. citizens seeks revenge on supposed anti-Islamic individuals
On July 21, 2010, U.S. citizen Paul G. Rockwood, Jr., a Muslim convert living in Alaska, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska to making false statements to authorities during a terrorism investigation.
Rockwood had made a list of people he thought should be killed for their anti-Islamic actions. The list, which was not made public by authorities, included members of the U.S. armed forces. Rockwood gave the list to his wife, Nadia Piroska Maria Rockwood, a dual citizen of the U.S. and U.K. They were not accused of taking any actions against any of the people on the list. Rockwood claimed to have been radicalized by writings of Anwar al-Awlaki that he found on the Internet.
Paul Rockwood, Jr. received an eight year prison sentence. His wife, Nadia Piroska Maria Rockwood was sentenced to five years of probation for making false statements to authorities.
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August 3, 2010
Chicago, IL
Shaker Masri
Support: Personnel
Al Shabaab
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U.S. citizen tries to join Al Shabaab
Shaker Masri, a U.S. citizen living in Chicago, IL, planned to go to Somalia to join Al Shabaab and become a suicide bomber.
According to court records, on July 19, 2010, Masri told an FBI informant that he intended to travel abroad to engage in a jihadist conflict as a combatant, and wanted to volunteer for a suicide mission. Masri indicated that he had decided to travel to Somalia to aid Al Shabaab. Masri told the informant he needed funds to facilitate his plan. The informant responded that he had money to fund Masri's proposed travel, but only if he could join Masri in traveling to Somalia to join Al Shabaab, and Masri agreed. On July 23 and 28, 2010, Masri and the informant met to discuss their travel plans, during which Masri recommended they travel to southern California then cross the U.S. border into Mexico and onto Central or South America where they could then fly to Somalia. On July 29, 2010, Masri and the informant purchased airline tickets to travel from Chicago to Los Angeles on August 4, 2010. In the afternoon of August 3, 2010, Masri and the informant prepared for their trip by going to a liquor store where the informant collected a purported debt to finance their trip. After purportedly obtaining $18,000 in funds from the liquor store, Masri and the informant traveled to a retail store where they purchased a new laptop computer. Masri was arrested as they exited the store.
On September 29, 2010, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois indicted Masri on charges of attempting to offer support to a terrorist organization.
He pleaded guilty to the charges on July 30, 2012. On December 11, 2012, Masri was sentenced to 9 years and 10 months in prison followed by 20 years supervised release.
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August 5, 2010
Somalia
Abdikadir Ali Abdi,
Amina Farah Ali,
Abdisalan Hussein Ali,
Omar Hammami,
Hawo Mohammed Hassan,
Jehad Serwan Mostafa
Support: Material
Al Shabaab
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Somali-Americans, including suicide bomber, provide material support to Al Shabaab
Four U.S. citizens—Omar Hammami, Jehad Serwan Mostafa, Abdikadir Ali Abdi and Abdisalan Hussein Ali—and two naturalized U.S. citizens from Somalia—Amina Farah Ali and Hawo Mohammed Hassan—were indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama on August 5, 2010, for providing material support to Al Shabaab.
On August 5, 2010, U.S. District Courts unsealed four separate indictments relating to support for Al Shabaab. In the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Omar Hammami was charged with providing and conspiring to provide material support to a terrorist organization and providing material support to Al Shabaab. In the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, Jehad Serwan Mostafa was charged with the same three counts. In the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, Amina Farah Ali and Hawo Mohammed Hassan were charged with conspiracy to provide material support to Al Shabaab by raising funds through door-to-door solicitations and illegally sending money to the organization. Also in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, a separate indictment was unsealed listing Abdikadir Ali Abdi and Abdisalan Hussein Ali, charging them with supporting Al Shabaab and conspiracy to kill abroad.
Amina Farah Ali and Hawo Mohammed Hassan were arrested on August 5, 2010, and convicted of raising money for Al-Shabaab and conspiracy to support a terrorist group on Oct. 20, 2011; they await sentencing. Abdisalan Hussein Ali killed himself in a suicide bomb attack in Mogadishu, Somalia, on October 29, 2011. The others are believed to be at large in Somalia.
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November 26, 2010
Portland, OR
Mohamed Osman Mohamud
Plot: Bomb
None Confirmed
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Plot to bomb the Portland, OR, Christmas tree lighting ceremony
On November 26, 2010, Mohamed Osman Mohamud, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Somalia, was arrested for attempting to bomb Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland, OR, during a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony attended by roughly 10,000 people.
The Somali-born teenager believed he was detonating a car bomb at the ceremony, but it was fake, supplied by undercover federal agents who spent several months setting up a sting operation.
On November 29, 2010, Mohamud was indicted by the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon for attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction. He continues to await trial.
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December 8, 2010
Catonsville, MD
Antonio Martinez
Plot: Bomb
Anwar Al-Awlaki
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Plot to bomb military recruiting station in Maryland
U.S. citizen Antonio Martinez, aka Muhammad Hussain, attempted to bomb a military recruiting station in Maryland.
Martinez, who had recently converted to Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Hussain, became the subject of an FBI investigation after posting comments on the website Facebook that he hates "Any 1 who opposes Allah." He also had a favorable opinion of Anwar Al-Awlaki, calling him a "beloved sheikh." An undercover FBI agent provided Martinez with a fake bomb, which Martinez sought to use to kill U.S. military personnel. On December 8, 2010, he was arrested after trying to detonate the fake bomb.
Martinez was indicted on December 21, 2010, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland on charges of attempted murder of federal officers and attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction. He pleaded guilty to attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction on January 20, 2012. Martinez was sentenced to 25 years in prison followed by five years supervised release on April 6, 2012.
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