Harlem Suarez, Plotting WMD, Florida 2015

Florida Resident Sentenced to Life in Prison for Plotting WMD and Supporting ISIS

A 23-year-old Florida resident has been sentenced to life in prison for attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and provide material support to a terrorist organization. Harlem Suarez, aka Almlak Benitez, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez in Key West, Florida to life in prison for the weapon of mass destruction count of conviction and a concurrent term of 20 years in prison for attempting to provide material support.

Suarez was convicted at trial in Key West, Florida on January 27, of knowingly attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction against a person or property within the U.S., in violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 2332a(a)(2) and attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization, in violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 2339B.

According to evidence introduced at trial, Suarez’s Facebook postings contained extremist rhetoric and promoted ISIS. Evidence further indicated that Suarez told an FBI confidential human source that he wanted to make a timer bomb. Suarez purchased components for this device, which was to contain galvanized nails, be concealed in a backpack and be remotely detonated by a cellular telephone. Suarez intended to bury the device at a public beach in Key West and then detonate it.

The investigative efforts of the FBI, South Florida JTTF, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Key West Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office were commended by U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marc S. Anton and Karen E. Gilbert with assistance from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Suarez is a U.S. legal resident and citizen of Cuba.

The sentencing occurred in Key West, Florida. Suarez was arrested and convicted for attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction against a person or property within the U.S. and attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization.

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