LAS VEGAS, NV — The Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center and the FBI Las Vegas bureau launched an investigation that resulted in the arrest of a 16-year-old. The arrest occurred November 29 after the teenager allegedly made terrorist threats online.
An image of the threat was shown by LVMPD officials during a conference, which also included an ISIS flag and words in Arabic.
It read, “Peace be upon all brothers who see this. I am here to announce that I will be starting lone wolf operations in Las Vegas against the enemies of Allah. I ask you to make Dua for victory. I am a supporter of the Islamic State, and I will make sure the zionists in this city know it.”
After the message circulated online, police immediately initiated a multi-agency investigation and increased security in the area. Within hours of identifying the threat, police said they were able to identify the individual responsible and his location.
Police described the 16-year-old from Las Vegas as a recent convert to Islam who lives in Las Vegas with siblings, his mother, and possibly a stepfather. His name was not shared due to his age. With these details, a search warrant was served, and the teenager was taken into custody without incident.
During the police search, components for building an improvised explosive device along with bomb-making recipes and instructions were located, Deputy Chief Dori Koren said Friday.
Koren said a swift multi-agency investigation, which included Metro, the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center, helped authorities locate the boy within hours of becoming aware of the post.
Additionally, police found homemade terrorism propaganda, including a handmade ISIS flag, a headband, and patches. Evidence also included ISIS and Al-Qaida propaganda, radicalization materials, and guidance for conducting a terrorist attack, investigators said.
Police then found self-portraits of the teenager wearing the material and surrounded by self-produced terrorism propaganda and anti-Semitic threats.
The unnamed teenager faces felony charges of terroristic threats, attempting to further an act of terrorism, providing material support to a terrorist, terrorist organization, and/or act of terrorism, and five counts of possession of an explosive component.
Koren states this incident appears to be an isolated threat.
Comments
2023-12-05T19:03-0500 | Comment by: Harry
He needs to go to adult prison for about 10 years to learn some respect for law and order. But, I bet he gets off with a "Be a nice boy and don't do that again" from some left wing liberal Judge !