Western District of Texas
Naser Jason Abdo, age 22, will spend the rest of his life in federal prison for plotting to kill American soldiers and others near Fort Hood, Texas, announced Assistant Attorney General for National Security Lisa Monaco, United States Attorney Robert Pitman, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez, and Killeen Police Chief Dennis M. Baldwin.
This morning in Waco, United States District Judge Walter S. Smith imposed two consecutive life prison sentences for attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and for possession of a weapon in furtherance of a federal crime of violence. In addition, Judge Smith also sentenced Abdo to a total mandatory consecutive 60 years’ imprisonment for one count of attempted murder of officers or employees of the United States, two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a federal crime of violence, and one count of possession of a weapon in furtherance of a federal crime of violence.
In May, a federal jury convicted Abdo of the above mentioned charges. Testimony presented at trial revealed that on July 27, 2011, Abdo unlawfully attempted to create and detonate a bomb in an attempt to kill, with pre-meditation and malice aforethought, members of the uniformed services of the United States and to shoot survivors of said detonation with a firearm. Evidence further revealed that Abdo did knowingly possess a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol while carrying out his plot.
“This case serves as another reminder of the need for vigilance against extremists both at home and abroad,” said Lisa Monaco, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. “I thank the many federal, state, and local law enforcement officials who thwarted Abdo’s plot and were responsible for this successful prosecution.”
Following the sentencing hearing, United States Attorney Robert Pitman stated, “This prosecution demonstrates two important points. First, the prevention of tragic events such as Mr. Abdo was planning can be averted by alert citizens who pass along their concerns to law enforcement officials and by law enforcement officers who diligently perform their duties. And second, that those who use or plan violence to further their twisted agendas will be prosecuted as aggressively as the law allows and will, as in this case, spend the rest of their lives staring at the walls of a prison cell.”
Officers with the Killeen Police Department arrested Abdo on July 27, 2011. At the time of his arrest, the defendant, an absent without leave (AWOL) soldier from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, was in possession of the handgun, plus instructions on how to build a bomb as well as bomb making components. Testimony during the trial revealed that Abdo intended to detonate the destructive device inside an unspecified restaurant frequented by soldiers from Fort Hood.
“Today’s sentencing of Mr. Abdo is a conclusion to an investigation which defines what we hope to do every time, that is to prevent an act of terrorism before it occurs,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez.
“This sentencing today provides a sense of comfort to the Killeen residents, especially those affiliated with the military, that Mr. Abdo will no longer be a threat to our community,” stated Killen Police Chief Dennis Baldwin.
This case was investigated by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and their Joint Terrorism Task Force together with the Killeen Police Department; U.S. Army’s Criminal Investigation Command, 902nd MI Group and Explosives Ordnance Disposal; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; United States Marshals Service; Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers; Bell County District Attorney’s Office; McLennan County Sheriff’s Office; and the Oak Grove (Kentucky) Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Frazier and Gregg Sofer of the Western District of Texas and trial attorney Larry Schneider of the DOJ Counterterrorism Section prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
