Philadelphia Teenager Charged for Allegedly Plotting ‘Catastrophic Terrorist Attack’

A Philadelphia teenager was charged for allegedly plotting a “catastrophic terrorist attack” after FBI officials found the teenager had been communicating with Al-Qaeda. Jacqueline Maguire, the FBI special agent in…

Elizabeth WeibelAug 15, 20233 min read

Sponsored

from the

Philadelphia

District Attorney’s Office.

“The young man who is under arrest is – was an aspiring terrorist who was not merely thinking but was doing things that are deeply disturbing and presented a grave danger to everyone,” Larry Krasner, the Philadelphia District Attorney, said during the press conference.

Officials from the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force became aware the teenager had been communicating with KTJ through his Instagram account between March and April 2023, according to the press release.

During this time, the teenager allegedly received instruction from KTJ on how to construct improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and was observed purchasing materials that are used to “construct IEDs, as well as outdoor or tactical gear,” according to the press release.

On Aug. 7, agents from the FBI saw the teenager “purchasing materials that can be used to make IEDs” and even recovered items from his trash that could be used to make IEDs, according to the press release.

Following this incident, a warrant for the teenager’s arrest was received on Friday and the teenager was taken into custody, according to the press release.

“Protecting the United States from terrorist attacks is the FBI’s number one priority,” Maguire said in the press release. “I think it’s very fair to say that lives were saved because of this investigation. Investigations like this one – with the amazing work that continues and the successful mitigation of such a significant threat – are exactly why we do what we do, and yet another reminder of what a privilege it is to serve with such dedicated colleagues.”

The teenager is currently facing charges related to weapons of mass destruction, criminal conspiracy, arson, causing/risking catastrophe, attempt to commit criminal mischief, reckless endangerment of other people, and possessing an instrument of crime, according to the press release.

Though the case is currently filed in juvenile court, the DA’s office is seeking to move it to adult court, Krasner said.