A man charged with plotting an Election Day terror attack was ordered by a judge to remain in custody during a preliminary hearing on Thursday.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, who FBI agents said was working with ISIS, will remain in federal custody until his trial. Tawhedi could be seen handcuffed in the courtroom and never stood for the judge and showed little to no emotion outside of looking at family members.His family sat in a full room of FBI agents, journalists and attorneys watching the case unfold."Since the tragic incidents of 1995, to my knowledge there have been very few, if any true terrorism related cases. That's what makes this one so high-profile and so big in Oklahoma City," said attorney Ed Blau.Blau said it's a one-of-a-kind case that all eyes will be on."The federal courthouse in Oklahoma City isn't a place where there are usually super high-profile cases. Terrorism cases, big international cases, this is unusual in those respects," Blau said.An FBI special agent, who spent six hours interviewing the 27-year-old the day he was arrested, laid out what he learned in the courtroom.The agent said the FBI was looking into Tawhedi about 45 days before his arrest and had come into contact with him multiple times.The agent said Tawhedi confessed to planning an attack and that he planned to do whatever ISIS told him. The agent said Tawhedi told him that he planned to commit suicide following the attack and Tawhedi isn't the only person in his family facing terrorism charges.>> Download the KOCO 5 AppThe agent confirmed that Tawhedi's two brothers were arrested in France on similar charges. Other family members that live in Oklahoma City allegedly knew about Tawhedi's Election Day plan. Officials said his father-in-law was the only person who had no information.Tawhedi's 17-year-old brother-in-law was arrested as his co-conspirator.Now, attorneys say Tawhedi planned to sell his family's home and relocate them to Afghanistan, they said there's evidence that any money left over would be given to ISIS.FBI officials said while Tawhedi bought two AK-47s from an undercover agent just moments before his arrest, he had no other weapons in his house or his family's home, and he has no criminal history in the U.S. Officials said his Google searches, phone records and conversations with ISIS through an online telegram proved he was planning to carry out the attack, including him asking if "500 rounds of ammo is enough."A federal judge confirmed Tawhedi is married and has a child and lived in Oklahoma City for almost one year. He's worked as a mechanic and as a rideshare driver for Uber and Lyft. His application for residency was revoked on Wednesday.The judge said this case carries weight, to protect the public, and there is enough evidence for a trial, but Thursday's hearing doesn't prove Tawhedi's guilt or innocence. "Given the seriousness of the charges against the defendant, and given seemingly the weight of the evidence, it would've been shocking if the judge allowed the defendant to be released pending trial," Blau said.Top HeadlinesWatch: Retired military dog reunites with his former handlerListeria recall grows to 12 million pounds of meat and poultry, some it sent to US schoolsPanel looking into Trump assassination attempt says Secret Service needs 'fundamental reform'Experts offer advice for chimney cleaning as cooler weather hits OklahomaOklahoma woman dies, another hospitalized after being pulled by current in Hawaii
A man charged with plotting an Election Day terror attack was ordered by a judge to remain in custody during a preliminary hearing on Thursday.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, who FBI agents said was working with ISIS, will remain in federal custody until his trial. Tawhedi could be seen handcuffed in the courtroom and never stood for the judge and showed little to no emotion outside of looking at family members.
His family sat in a full room of FBI agents, journalists and attorneys watching the case unfold.
"Since the tragic incidents of 1995, to my knowledge there have been very few, if any true terrorism related cases. That's what makes this one so high-profile and so big in Oklahoma City," said attorney Ed Blau.
Blau said it's a one-of-a-kind case that all eyes will be on.
"The federal courthouse in Oklahoma City isn't a place where there are usually super high-profile cases. Terrorism cases, big international cases, this is unusual in those respects," Blau said.
An FBI special agent, who spent six hours interviewing the 27-year-old the day he was arrested, laid out what he learned in the courtroom.
The agent said the FBI was looking into Tawhedi about 45 days before his arrest and had come into contact with him multiple times.
The agent said Tawhedi confessed to planning an attack and that he planned to do whatever ISIS told him.
The agent said Tawhedi told him that he planned to commit suicide following the attack and Tawhedi isn't the only person in his family facing terrorism charges.
>> Download the KOCO 5 App
The agent confirmed that Tawhedi's two brothers were arrested in France on similar charges. Other family members that live in Oklahoma City allegedly knew about Tawhedi's Election Day plan. Officials said his father-in-law was the only person who had no information.
Tawhedi's 17-year-old brother-in-law was arrested as his co-conspirator.
Now, attorneys say Tawhedi planned to sell his family's home and relocate them to Afghanistan, they said there's evidence that any money left over would be given to ISIS.
FBI officials said while Tawhedi bought two AK-47s from an undercover agent just moments before his arrest, he had no other weapons in his house or his family's home, and he has no criminal history in the U.S. Officials said his Google searches, phone records and conversations with ISIS through an online telegram proved he was planning to carry out the attack, including him asking if "500 rounds of ammo is enough."
A federal judge confirmed Tawhedi is married and has a child and lived in Oklahoma City for almost one year. He's worked as a mechanic and as a rideshare driver for Uber and Lyft. His application for residency was revoked on Wednesday.
The judge said this case carries weight, to protect the public, and there is enough evidence for a trial, but Thursday's hearing doesn't prove Tawhedi's guilt or innocence.
"Given the seriousness of the charges against the defendant, and given seemingly the weight of the evidence, it would've been shocking if the judge allowed the defendant to be released pending trial," Blau said.
Top Headlines