URGENT UPDATE: Two men from New Jersey have been arrested in connection with a chilling Halloween terror plot targeting Michigan. 19-year-old Milo Sedanet was apprehended at Newark Airport while attempting to flee to Turkey. This arrest comes just days after the FBI revealed a broader conspiracy involving multiple suspects tied to ISIS.
Law enforcement sources confirmed to ABC News that Sedanet was part of a group allegedly plotting an attack this Halloween weekend. Investigators believe he moved his flight up after the arrests of two Dearborn men, Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud, last week. Both men were charged with gun crimes after federal agents uncovered their plans to execute a violent act during the holiday, described in court documents as “pumpkin day.”
Authorities report that Sedanet had been under surveillance by an NYPD undercover unit. He was reportedly in contact with Ali and Mahmoud, who had been scoping out potential attack sites, including LGBTQ+-friendly bars in Ferndale, Michigan. According to the unsealed criminal complaint, the group had purchased multiple AR-15-style rifles, tactical gear, and were documented practicing at local gun ranges.
The FBI’s swift action followed months of monitoring communications among the group, which included discussions on encrypted messaging apps. “I gotta do the pumpkin for real,” Ali said in a message, indicating the seriousness of their intentions. The FBI recovered three AR-15 rifles, two shotguns, four handguns, and over 1,600 rounds of ammunition during raids on the homes of the suspects.
In addition to Sedanet, another New Jersey man, Tomas Kaan Jimenez-Guzal, has also been arrested. The federal government is pursuing charges against all involved, with expectations that more indictments will follow as the investigation unfolds.
Retired FBI Assistant Director Dan Roberts called the criminal complaint one of the most extensive he has seen in over three decades, emphasizing the “large quantities of ammunition” recovered. The implications of this plot are severe, particularly given ISIS’s history of targeting LGBTQ+ communities.
As the investigation continues, officials are urging the public to remain vigilant. The FBI’s Director, Kash Patel, announced on social media that a potential terror attack had been thwarted, underscoring the urgent need for community awareness and cooperation with law enforcement.
This developing story is a stark reminder of the increasing threats posed by domestic terrorism. Authorities will likely reveal more details in the coming days, including further charges against the suspects. Stay tuned for updates as this investigation progresses.
