Two New Jersey Residents Face Federal Charges in Alleged ISIS Plot
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montclair NJ, In a major announcement following an investigation, federal officials have confirmed the arrests of two New Jersey men and a man from Washington state in connection with an alleged ISIS-inspired terror plot planned for the Halloween weekend in Michigan.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, detailed the arrests in a public video statement, identifying the two New Jersey suspects as Tomas Kaan Jimenez-Guzel and Milo Sedarat, both from Montclair.
Habba said, “Under President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi’s leadership, protecting the homeland from radical Islamic terrorism and violent extremism is one of the Justice Department’s highest priorities. The president directives to federal law enforcement are very clear: act quickly, work together, and stop threats before innocent people are harmed.
Yesterday, my office, working hand in hand with the national security division in my office, did just that and charged two individuals by federal complaint connected to the Halloween terror plot in Detroit. The first suspect is charged with conspiring to provide material support to a designated terrorist organization. The second suspect is charged with transmitting violent, antisemitic threats across the Internet to individuals in the State of New Jersey and beyond.
The threat of terrorism is real. When Americans are threatened, we respond fast, focused, and together. As alleged in today’s complaint, from around October 4, 2024, to November 4, 2025, Tomás Khan Jiménez-Gazelle of Montclair, New Jersey, and Saeed Ali Mareh of Kent, Washington, along with other co-conspirators, used encrypted messaging applications to plan travel to Turkey and then to Syria to join ISIS as fighters. In their communications, they discussed detailed travel plans, physical training, weapons including firearms and IEDs, and methods to avoid law enforcement detection. According to the complaint, they pledged themselves to ISIS, and were plotting acts of terrorism in our country. The messages also included photographs of Jiménez-Gazelle standing in front of the ISIS flag holding a knife, and Mareh wearing an ISIS hat.
The complaint against Milo Sedarat charges two counts of transmitting threats to interstate and foreign commerce. It describes a pattern of antisemitic messages, advocating violence, along with images and purchases consistent with preparation for attack, including a knife and sword collection, tactical gear, and images of him practicing at a gun range.
Jiménez-Gazelle and Sedarat are scheduled for initial appearances this afternoon in federal court in the District of New Jersey. Mareh is scheduled for an initial appearance later today in the Western District of Seattle.
Protecting the District of New Jersey and the United States—its people, its neighborhoods, and its institution—is the core mission of our office. With our partners at the FBI and Main Justice, we will continue to move swiftly and decisively whenever terrorism or hate threatens our communities. Thank you.”
The Alleged Plot: Copying the Paris Attacks
Federal sources, as reported by outlets like the New York Post, suggest the conspiracy was uncovered in Detroit and aimed to copy the deadly 2015 ISIS attack in Paris.
The FBI’s involvement was significant, with Director Kash Patel stating on X that multiple individuals were arrested for “allegedly plotting a violent attack.” The swift action by law enforcement effectively thwarted the planned attack.
Details of the Charges and Conspiracy
The federal complaints paint a picture of deep commitment to the terrorist group:
- Planning to Join ISIS Abroad: Habba stated that since early October 2024, Jimenez-Guzel and the Washington co-conspirator used encrypted apps to plan travel to Turkey and then Syria, intending to join ISIS as fighters.
- Preparation and Pledges: Communications included detailed travel plans, physical training, discussions about weapons, and methods to avoid law enforcement detection. Crucially, Habba noted the men had “pledged themselves to ISIS and were plotting acts of terrorism in our country.”
- Incriminating Evidence: Messages included photographs of Jimenez-Guzel holding a knife in front of the ISIS flag, and the Washington man wearing an ISIS hat.
Who Was Charged?
| Suspect Name | NJ Residence | Primary Charge(s) | Arrest Details |
| Tomas Kaan Jimenez-Guzel | Montclair | Conspiring to provide material support to a designated terrorist organization. | Taken into custody at Newark Airport while waiting for a flight. |
| Milo Sedarat | Montclair | Two counts of transmitting threats to interstate and foreign commerce. | Arrested at a Montclair home. |
| Co-Conspirator (Kent, WA) | N/A | Transmitting violent, antisemitic threats across the internet. | Details of arrest location not specified. |
The Case Against Milo Sedarat
The complaint against Milo Sedarat outlines a concerning pattern of behavior, including:
- Sending antisemitic messages and advocating violence.
- Possessing items consistent with attack preparation, such as a knife and sword collection and tactical gear.
- Images showing him practicing at a gun range.
Sedarat is reportedly the son of Roger Sedarat, a professor at Queens College. Both Jimenez-Guzel and Sedarat were scheduled for an initial court appearance on November 5th in federal court in New Jersey.
The arrests underscore the continuous threat of homegrown extremism and the dedication of federal law enforcement to intercepting terror plots before they can be executed.
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Hasn’t Habba been given the boot?
more fat losers