Sami Osmakac, Attempted Use of Weapon of Mass Destruction, Florida 2014

Tampa Man Sentenced for Attempted Terrorist Attack

Tampa, Florida - In a chilling case of attempted terrorism, Sami Osmakac, 27, of Pinellas Park, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for the attempted use of weapons of mass destruction and possession of a fully automatic firearm.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on January 7, 2012, Osmakac attempted to use weapons of mass destruction, including a car bomb, grenades, and a suicide explosive, at two locations in the Tampa Bay area. Specifically, his intended targets were MacDinton's Irish Pub and the Seminole Hard Rock Casino.

The court also ordered Osmakac to forfeit property that he used to facilitate the offense, including the vehicle used on the night of his arrest.

Osmakac was indicted on February 2, 2012, and a federal jury found him guilty on June 10, 2014.

“This case represents another victory in our fight against terrorism,” said U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III. “Our success here is due, in part, to assistance from the Muslim community, which brought this defendant’s violent intentions to the attention of law enforcement.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney and Trial Attorney Clement McGovern from the National Security Division.

In a statement, the U.S. Attorney's office praised the Muslim community for their role in bringing Osmakac's intentions to light, saying that “our success here is due, in part, to assistance from the Muslim community, which brought this defendant’s violent intentions to the attention of law enforcement.”

Osmakac's 40-year sentence is a significant blow to those who seek to harm innocent lives through acts of terrorism.

Defendant: Sami Osmakac

Criminal Charges: Attempted Use of Weapon of Mass Destruction, Possession of a Fully Automatic Firearm

City and State: Tampa, Florida

Exact Date: January 7, 2012 (crime date), February 2, 2012 (indictment), June 10, 2014 (sentencing)

Sentence or Outcome: 40 years in federal prison

Amounts: None applicable

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/pinellas-man-sentenced-forty-years-imprisonment-attempted-use-weapon-mass-destruction