Feds: Georgia Man Was Plotting White House Attack

A 21-year-old Georgia man has been arrested for allegedly plotting to attack the White House and other federal buildings, CNN reports. Authorities say Hasher Taheb planned to use explosives and an anti-tank rocket. “His alleged intent was to attack the White House and other targets of opportunity in the Washington DC area,” US Attorney BJay Pak said, per the Dayton Daily News, which reports that a criminal complaint says that a community member contacted authorities last March warning that Taheb had been radicalized. In August, Taheb reportedly put his car up for sale, prompting an FBI informant to show interest and meet with him.

The suspect reportedly said he wanted to use the proceeds from the car sale to travel to Islamic State territory, but he didn’t have a passport. He allegedly told the informant that he wanted to attack the White House and Statue of Liberty. Taheb was arrested Wednesday in an FBI sting during which he allegedly traded his car for weapons, the AP reports. Authorities say he was acting alone. Taheb appeared briefly in a federal courtroom in Atlanta on Wednesday where a judge explained the charges against him. His next court date is Jan. 24, per CNN. (More suspected terrorists stories.)