Ashiqul Alam, Gun Trafficking, New York 2019

Ashiqul Alam, a resident of Queens, New York, was arrested yesterday and charged with knowingly receiving two firearms with obliterated serial numbers in Brooklyn, New York.

The criminal complaint, filed today in federal court in Brooklyn, alleges that Alam repeated expressed a desire to purchase firearms and explosives for use in a terrorist attack. He identified two targets, either Times Square or Washington, D.C., in order to kill a senior government official. In January 2019, Alam conducted several ‘recon’ trips to Times Square, using his cellular telephone to make a video recording of the area as he searched for potential targets.

Alam considered multiple ways to conduct such an attack, including by using a ‘suicide vest’ and by obtaining AR-15 assault rifles to kill law enforcement officers. He conducted research about firearms on the internet and discussed purchasing firearms with an undercover law enforcement officer.

In March 2019, Alam told the undercover officer that he would be interested in buying a Glock 9mm pistol. The undercover officer introduced Alam to an associate, who offered to help Alam procure two illegal Glock G19 pistols.

Alam underwent Lasik eye surgery in April 2019, a procedure whose value he explained: ‘Let’s say we are in an attack, right, say that my glasses fall off. What if I accidentally shoot you? You know what I mean. Imagine what the news channel would call me the ‘Looney Tunes Terrorist’ or the ‘Blind Terrorist.’

Alam was told that the firearms he wanted to buy would have obliterated serial numbers, and he replied ‘Oh, that’s good man.’ Alam then had repeated conversations and meetings with individuals he believed were going to sell him the firearms.

Alam is charged with knowingly receiving two firearms with obliterated serial numbers, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(k). He is scheduled to be presented this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Cheryl L. Pollak.

The investigation was led by the FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force and the NYPD Intelligence Bureau. United States Attorney Richard P. Donoghue, FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney, Jr., and NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill announced the arrest.