A 21-year-old man, Hasher Taheb of Cumming, Georgia, was arrested and charged with "violating Title 18USC 844(f)(1) -- attempt to damage by means of an explosive any building owned, possessed, or leased by the United States or any department or agency thereof, or any institution or organization receiving federal financial assistance," U.S. Attorney Byung J. Pak said in a statement.
The plot included targeting the White House and other buildings with explosives including an anti-tank rocket and homemade explosives. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution , Taheb told a FBI informant that he wanted to travel to "hijra," which is reportedly a term for Islamic State-controlled territory. He also said he wanted to to attack the White House and the Statue of Liberty.
The arrest was the result of a year-long investigation, and according to Pak, "all potential threats have been neutralized and under control from the inception of this case."
"It is important to point out that this investigation and arrest were the direct result of a tip from the community, another example of how important it is to contact law enforcement if you see or hear something suspicious," FBI special agent Christ Hacker said in a statement.
Taheb was arrested on Wednesday in Gwinnett County, Georgia, and he appeared briefly in court. INSIDER contacted the US Attorney's Office in the Northern District of Georgia for more information and will update as necessary.
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