Two suspects charged in alleged terror plot in Michigan

Two suspects have been charged by federal authorities in connection with an alleged terror plot in Dearborn, Mich., according to news reports Monday. 

Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud are charged with “Receiving and transferring, and attempting and conspiring to transfer, firearms and ammunition knowing and having reasonable cause to believe that the firearms and ammunition would be used to commit a Federal crime of terrorism,” according to a criminal complaint, CNN reported.

If convicted of the charges, each defendants could each face up to 15 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan told the media outlet.

On Friday, FBI Director Kash Patel said that the bureau had arrested multiple subjects in a plot that was to occur this past weekend.

"This morning the FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested multiple subjects in Michigan who were allegedly plotting a violent attack over Halloween weekend. More details to come. Thanks to the men and women of FBI and law enforcement everywhere standing guard 24/7 and crushing our mission to defend the homeland," Patel posted on X.

Two unnamed law enforcement officials told CNN on Friday that two people were arrested and three others questioned, and their ages range from 16 to no more than 29. They also that there was a reference to “pumpkin day,” an online chat about an ISIS-inspired attack and a shooting range visit to practice high-speed reloads with AK-47s, but there are minimal details on the alleged plot.

Amir Makled, who represents one of the people arrested in the alleged plot, told the media outlet, “We are confident that, once the facts are reviewed objectively, it will be clear there was never any planned ‘mass-casualty’ event or coordinated terror plot of any kind.”

“The reality here involves a small group … with a lawful interest in recreational firearms, not a terrorist cell or organized attack. All firearms were legally obtained and registered,” he also said.

Attorney Hussein Bazzi, who says he is representing another one of the people who were arrested, told CNN the “pumpkin day” reference may have been “online gamer chat that was misinterpreted.”