Federal prosecutors have charged two Michigan men in connection with an alleged Islamic State-inspired plot to carry out an attack in the United States, according to a criminal complaint filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and made public on Monday.
Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud of Dearborn, Michigan, were charged under federal law for receiving and transferring and attempting and conspiring to transfer firearms and ammunition they believed would be used in a crime of terrorism, according to the criminal complaint — a formal accusation that a person has committed a federal crime.
According to the complaint, Ali and Mahmoud are both under 21 years of age.
The complaint alleges the men’s activities took place between July and October 2025, culminating in an intended attack around Halloween.
The complaint indicates at least five people, including a juvenile identified as “Person 1,” were involved in the plot, although only Ali and Mahmoud currently face federal charges. The group allegedly used encrypted messaging platforms and social media to share ISIS-related messages encouraging attacks.
The FBI affidavit says both men purchased firearms in recent months, including AR-15-style rifles, and participated in online conversations indicating knowledge of the attack plot. Ali reportedly purchased a shotgun, an AR-15-style rifle and other firearm accessories in August and September, at the same time encrypted communications discussed the planned attack. Mahmoud allegedly purchased an AR-15-style rifle in September and more than 1,600 rounds of ammunition the following month.
AL-MONITOR All-Access gives you unlimited access to all our journalism, the full Daily Briefing, exclusive interviews, premium newsletters, and live events — for less than $2/week.
