U.S. authorities have uncovered an ISIS-inspired terror network involving young suspects across several states, including two 19-year-olds from Montclair, New Jersey, who allegedly plotted violent attacks against Jews and other targets tied to Israel.
Federal prosecutors said Milo Sedarat and Tomas Kaan Jimenez-Guzel, both from affluent families in Montclair, exchanged encrypted messages filled with antisemitic threats and plans for large-scale assaults. The pair are accused of conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and making international threats, charges that each carry up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to court filings unsealed this week, Sedarat called himself “the biggest antisemite in America” and wrote about wanting to “carry out mass executions of Jews.” Investigators said he also discussed running over participants in a local “Israel Day” parade and carrying out a “9/11-style” attack on Tel Aviv.
Prosecutors say Sedarat sent numerous photos and videos of himself posing with knives, swords and tactical gear inside his family’s $1.2 million Victorian home. Other images show him at a shooting range and in martial arts training. Authorities said he used social media and private messages to boast about wanting to “execute like 10 yahood,” using an Arabic term for Jews.
Sedarat’s father, Roger Sedarat, is an Iranian American poet and professor at Queens College in New York City. His mother, Janette Afsharian, is an artist and Emmy-nominated producer. Neighbors described the family as kind and well respected and said they were stunned by the arrest. Some left flowers and notes of support outside their home.
Jimenez-Guzel, whose mother is a United Nations diplomat focused on women’s empowerment programs, was arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport while allegedly attempting to fly to Turkey to cross into Syria and join ISIS. Investigators said he pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and advanced his travel plans after news of FBI raids in Detroit.
Court documents include photos of Jimenez-Guzel holding a knife and an ISIS flag, and messages in which he said he wanted to carry out an attack that would be “etched in history,” adding that “they’ll make a Netflix movie about me” and “they’ll write a Wikipedia entry about me.” He also allegedly told group members, “I’ll do it, bro,” when discussing the possibility of making beheading videos.
Federal agents said the Montclair teens played central roles in radicalizing and organizing others through encrypted chats that mixed ISIS propaganda with direct calls to violence. The group, prosecutors said, operated in two tracks — one focused on joining ISIS abroad, the other on launching domestic attacks.
Authorities said five additional suspects, including a juvenile, were arrested in connection with the network. Three were taken into custody in Michigan, where police recovered rifles, handguns, tactical vests, GoPro cameras and more than 1,600 rounds of ammunition. Officials said the Michigan group discussed attacking LGBT nightclubs and Jewish institutions. Another suspect was arrested in Washington state.
In one intercepted message, a participant wrote that “13 people can cause great damage,” suggesting more suspects may still be at large. Investigators are also probing possible international links, including contacts in the United Kingdom who may have taken part in the online planning.
Prosecutors said seized videos included ISIS training clips and tutorials on using knives, axes and vehicles to kill “infidels.” A propaganda document titled “KILL THEM SILENTLY” urged supporters to carry out jihad, saying that “a knife, a hammer and even less” could cause widespread destruction.
Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba said the arrests show that radicalization “can take root anywhere — even in one of the most desirable towns in the New York metro area.”
“It’s shocking to see how such a radical ideology can be living in your backyard,” said Rabbi Yaacov Leaf of Chabad of Montclair. “This type of hate finding its way into our community is very frightening.”
Authorities said the investigation remains active and that additional arrests are possible in the United States and abroad.