Man sentenced to 9 years for plotting knife attack in Queens after denouncing ISIS.
A 25-year-old man, Awais Chudhary, who attempted to align himself with the terrorist group ISIS and disseminated extremist propaganda, has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison following a botched plot to carry out a stabbing attack in Queens. The sentencing took place in Brooklyn Federal Court, where Chudhary publicly expressed his disavowal of ISIS, stating that he had been drawn into a dangerous ideology that preyed on his vulnerabilities.
Chudhary has already spent six years in the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn while awaiting trial. His arrest in 2019 followed a series of activities that included collecting ISIS propaganda and producing instructional videos about accessing this propaganda online. According to prosecutors, he assisted another convicted supporter of ISIS in identifying potential recruits and editing related materials.
In August 2019, Chudhary initiated conversations on the messaging platform Telegram to orchestrate a knife attack, unbeknownst to him that he was communicating with undercover federal agents. He conducted reconnaissance at pedestrian bridges and ordered a tactical knife and various other items from Amazon as part of his planning. Moreover, he sought guidance on constructing an explosive device, indicating the seriousness of his intentions.
Chudhary ultimately pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to provide material support to ISIS, a crime that carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years. However, federal sentencing guidelines recommended a term of eight to 12 years, a range suggested by his attorney, Samuel Jacobson, who highlighted Chudhary’s traumatic background, which included living in an abusive household run by his uncle. Jacobson suggested that a different approach from law enforcement might have altered Chudhary’s trajectory, raising questions about the role of the FBI in his radicalization.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ellen Sise challenged this perspective, raising concerns about Chudhary’s ongoing tendencies, citing the potential dangers associated with his autism and obsessive behavior. Chudhary’s legal team noted that he has developed coping mechanisms since his diagnosis, demonstrating progress while in custody.
Judge Carol Bagley Amon, recognizing the mental health issues presented, ruled out any blame directed at the FBI. She acknowledged the authenticity of Chudhary’s renunciation of ISIS but ultimately imposed a nine-year prison sentence, complemented by an additional 15 years of supervised release upon completion of his term. This case underscores the complexities surrounding mental health, radicalization, and the judicial response in terrorism-related cases in the United States.
This evolving narrative highlights the critical need for understanding and addressing the underlying issues contributing to radicalization, particularly within vulnerable populations. As the landscape of domestic extremism evolves, the intersections of mental health, law enforcement intervention, and rehabilitation remain a vital area of discussion among policymakers and social advocates.
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