From ABC News · ABC News · · 1m 50s
Pennsylvania man charged in alleged ISIS attack plot
A tip, a rideshare to a sporting goods store, and a hotel room full of weapons: how the FBI says it stopped an attack days after the 9/11 anniversary.
In brief
A tip, a rideshare to a sporting goods store, and a hotel room full of weapons: how the FBI says it stopped an attack days after the 9/11 anniversary. The case moved from a single tipster's call to an arrest in the parking lot of a gun counter, and prosecutors say a prior juvenile mass casualty case had already put…
A 21-year-old is charged
Jonathan Hunter Kramer of Valencia, Pennsylvania, is accused of receiving a firearm and ammunition in support of ISIS, according to a federal criminal complaint from the Justice Department.
Going by another name
Prosecutors say Kramer used the name "Hamza Al Rashid," claimed ties to ISIS, offered to share explosive manuals, and said he was ready for a mission but missing one thing.
“just missing a "weapon"”
Already known to the FBI
The DOJ says he had been on the bureau's radar since 2023, when Pennsylvania authorities charged him over an alleged mass casualty plot and possession of child sexual abuse material.
A tip restarted the case
Someone recently called the FBI with concerns about Kramer. Court papers laying out the alleged conduct were unsealed on Tuesday.
Tailed to the gun counter
On Sept. 12, agents watched him take a rideshare to buy a disposable phone, meet a man carrying a long black bag, pay cash for a hotel room, then head to a sporting goods store.
What the search turned up
Agents say they found a semiautomatic rifle, five magazines, 190 rounds, a scope and bipod, roughly 30 knives, a prayer rug, and a handwritten note.
“DoNt look For me[.] IDK what I did buT I cant live In constant Fear”
Officials call it a thwarted attack
Attorney General Todd Blanche said agents stopped an attack during the 25th anniversary of 9/11. FBI Director Kash Patel said the suspect was building attack concepts while acquiring weapons.
“Their outstanding work thwarted this alleged attack before innocent lives could be lost”
At a glance
The case moved from a single tipster's call to an arrest in the parking lot of a gun counter, and prosecutors say a prior juvenile mass casualty case had already put the suspect on the FBI's radar.
