HOUSTON – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against a 20-year-old Palestinian citizen for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
The charges allege that Sohaib Abuayyash was an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States. He knowingly possessed a firearm, namely a Canik, model TP9 Elite SC, 9 mm pistol, according to the indictment.
The FBI arrested Abuayyash on 19 October who remains detained pending further criminal proceedings. He is set to appear for his arraignment on 13 November before U.S. Magistrate Judge Yvonne Ho in Houston at 2 p.m.
According to the criminal complaint filed upon his arrest, Abuayyash entered the United States on a nonimmigrant visa, which expired in 2019, and has allegedly been in direct contact with others who share a radical mindset. The charges further allege he has been conducting physical training and has trained with weapons to possibly commit an attack.
The 20-year-old Palestinian asylum seeker is believed to be planning a bomb attack against Jews in the United States.
Apart from the terror charges, Mr Abuayyash will also be taken to court for illegal possession of a firearm.
If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The FBI is conducting the investigation.
Eighteen-Eleven Media