KEY POINTS

  • Hasher Jallal Taheb pleaded guilty for attempting to destroy, by fire or an explosive, a building owned by or leased to the United States
  • The 23-year-old resident of Cumming, Georgia plotted to bomb the White House and other United States landmarks as part of his obligation to engage in jihad
  • Taheb's sentencing is set for June 23, 2020
  • As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to a 15-year imprisonmen

Hasher Jallal Taheb, the Cumming, Georgia native who planned to attack the White House, pleaded guilty Wednesday, court documents said.

The 23-year-old Taheb pleaded guilty for attempting to destroy, by fire or an explosive, a building owned by or leased to the United States, said the United States Attorney's Office of the Northern District of Georgia in a press release.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers said Taheb planned to conduct a “terrorist act” on the White House – one of the United States perennial landmarks and a symbol of leadership – as part of what he claimed to be his obligation to engage in jihad.

white house
In this image, the U.S. flag is seen over the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2015. CHRIS KLEPONIS/AFP/Getty Images

Demers then pointed that the White House was just one of the targets of Taheb, but his plans were ousted thanks to the efforts and tips coming from the members of the community, field agents and analysts.

Taheb's arrest and eventual admission came after a year-old “intensive investigation” led by the Joint Terrorism Task Force of the FBI's Atlanta office.

Special Agent in Charge Chris Hacker also acknowledged the vigilance of the state's residents.

“Our citizens are our most important weapons in fighting terrorism, our eyes and ears in our communities,” Hacker said in the release.

Through their undercover operation, the FBI knew about Taheb's plan to travel overseas in October 2018 and that he applied for a United States passport in July of the same year. In addition, agents discovered his plan to attack the White House and the Statue of Liberty as his initial targets.

By the end of the year, Taheb expanded his targets and included the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and a synagogue, said the press release.

The Joint Terrorist Task Force arrested Taheb on January 16, 2019 after he met undercover agents at a parking lot in Buford, Georgia, where he was led to believe to receive semi-automatic rifles, explosive devices and an AT-4 anti-armor weapon to carry on with his plan, said NBC News.

Taheb's sentencing is set for June 23, 2020. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to a 15-year imprisonment, the outlet added.

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