Albanian man who wanted to join ISIS terrorist group and attack random people arrested in Montana
A former Bronx man of Albanian nationality has been arrested in Montana after revealing to an FBI informant his plans to join ISIS and avenge the Christchurch mosque shootings.
Fabjan Alameti, 21, was taken into custody at a gun range in Bozeman on April 3, according to the Department of Justice, after he allegedly took possession of an M1A rifle he had rented.
His arrest took place without incident, the DOJ said in a statement.
“Fabjan Alameti recently moved to Bozeman from another state,” said Paul Haertel, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office. “We want to make it absolutely clear that Mr. Alameti has no known ties to Montana or any affiliation with the Muslim community in Bozeman,” he said.
Alameti faces gun possession and drug charges. He was also charged with making false statements involving international terrorism.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah Lynch ordered him detained for further proceedings.
If found guilty on the most serious charge, Alameti faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
FBI Special Agent Matthew Duermeier, whose sworn statement filed with the court was cited by the Associated Press, provided details of the investigation into Alameti’s alleged links to ISIS and terrorist intent.
Alameti reportedly made pro-ISIS statements on Facebook, according to Duermeier. The suspect also told an informant in January that he wanted to fight with ISIS in Iraq and Syria and to carry out an attack in the US against a military facility, recruitment center, government building, “gay club” or Jewish temple, according to the FBI.
Duermeirer added that Alameti later said he would not actually carry out an attack in the United States because America had granted him citizenship.
After shootings at two mosques in Christchurch left 50 people dead, Alameti allegedly told the informant, “I will attack random people to avenge their blood.”
Accused gunman Brenton Harrison Tarrant of Australia faces 50 murder charges and 39 attempted murder charges for the March 15 massacre in two New Zealand mosques.
According to The Associated Press, another federal informant recorded Alameti saying that he wanted to “shoot up” a hotel on American soil.
On Wednesday, Alameti showed up at the firing range, paid $35 to rent an M1A rifle and was arrested when he took possession of it, Deurmeier said.
Alameti also reportedly told an FBI informant he moved from his home in the Bronx to Bozeman last month because he hated his life in New York City.
Source: The Epoch Times
