Lubbock, Texas – Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari, a 22-year-old Saudi student, was sentenced to life in prison for his role in a plot to use a weapon of mass destruction. The sentencing took place in federal court in Amarillo, Texas.
Aldawsari was convicted on June 27, 2012, on a count of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction. He was found to have been researching online how to construct an improvised explosive device (IED) using several chemicals as ingredients. The defendant had also acquired or taken a substantial step toward acquiring most of the ingredients and equipment necessary to construct an IED and had conducted online research of several potential U.S. targets.
According to court documents, Aldawsari had described his desire for violent jihad and martyrdom in blog postings and a personal journal. The defendant was lawfully admitted into the United States in 2008 on a student visa and was enrolled at South Plains College near Lubbock.
The investigation into Aldawsari’s activities began after a chemical supplier reported a suspicious attempted purchase of concentrated phenol by a man identifying himself as Khalid Aldawsari. Phenol is a toxic chemical with legitimate uses, but can also be used to make the explosive trinitrophenol, also known as T.N.P., or picric acid.
On February 1, 2011, the chemical supplier reported the suspicious purchase to the FBI. Aldawsari had attempted to have the phenol order shipped to a freight company, but the freight company told him that the order had been returned to the supplier and called the police. Later, Aldawsari falsely told the supplier he was associated with a university.
The government presented evidence that Aldawsari had been researching potential U.S. targets, including persons and infrastructure. The defendant had also conducted online research of several potential U.S. targets and had described his desire for violent jihad and martyrdom in blog postings and a personal journal.
The case serves as a reminder to all private citizens to be observant and vigilant, as there are individuals who intend to cause great harm. The success of the investigation and prosecution of Aldawsari is a testament to the hard work of law enforcement and intelligence resources, particularly the FBI’s North Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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