PITTSBURGH, PA – Mustafa Alowemer, a Syrian national, is facing serious terrorism charges after allegedly plotting to bomb a church on Pittsburgh’s North Side. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) uncovered a chilling plan fueled by allegiance to ISIS and a twisted desire for revenge. Alowemer, who arrived in the U.S. in 2016, allegedly intended to unleash a weapon of mass destruction, knowingly risking the lives of countless worshippers.
According to the indictment, Alowemer wasn’t just fantasizing. He actively sought to provide material support to ISIS and disseminated detailed information about explosives and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Starting in May 2019, he shared these instructions with someone he *believed* was a fellow ISIS supporter – but was, in reality, an FBI employee. This wasn’t idle chatter; Alowemer was building a plan, acquiring components, and meticulously mapping out the attack.
The investigation revealed a disturbing level of preparation. Alowemer purchased materials he believed were essential for constructing a destructive device. He met multiple times with both an FBI Undercover Employee (UCE) and a Confidential Human Source (CHS), each encounter ratcheting up the details of the plot. On June 11th, he delivered boxes of nails – intended for use as shrapnel – alongside detailed Google satellite maps of the church, complete with hand-drawn markings indicating arrival and escape routes. He even penned a ten-point handwritten plan, titled “Confirmation of this operation,” outlining his plan to personally deliver the explosives in a backpack.
Alowemer’s motivation, as alleged in the indictment, was a warped combination of religious fervor and retribution. He claimed he wanted to support ISIS and inspire others to commit similar acts. He specifically targeted the church to “take revenge for our [ISIS] brothers in Nigeria.” He was fully aware that his actions could result in mass casualties. Law enforcement intervened before he could carry out the July 2019 attack, arresting him on June 19th after scheduling a final planning meeting.
Alowemer is charged with one count of attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS, and two counts of distributing information relating to an explosive, destructive device, or weapon of mass destruction. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office stresses that these are merely allegations, and Alowemer is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation involved a multi-agency effort including the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Secret Service. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of domestic terrorism and the dedication of federal agencies to preventing attacks on American soil. The JTTF continues to monitor and disrupt potential threats, working to keep communities safe from extremist violence.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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