PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Authorities say a Philadelphia teenager arrested last year and charged in an ongoing terrorism investigation was making and testing bombs and considering attacks throughout the region, including the city’s LGBTQ Pride March.
Muhyyee-Ud-Din Abdul-Rahman was 17-years-old when he was arrested last year after federal agents raided his West Philadelphia home. Prosecutors say they uncovered bomb-making equipment, electronic equipment and communications with terrorist groups overseas.
Abdul-Rahman was charged as a juvenile, but the District Attorney's Office on Wednesday said he will now face charges as an adult after a judge heard the evidence at a recent hearing.
“He developed bombs in his home and tested those bombs in his backyard and in the woods nearby,” First Assistant District Attorney Robert Listenbee said.
“There was a trash pull a few days before the arrest and, in that trash, they found evidence of bombs, wires, as well as a bomb that had exploded. The conclusion of the experts was that, yes, he was planning to explode bombs in the Philadelphia area.”
Abdul-Rahman is charged with weapons of mass destruction, conspiracy, arson and related offenses. He is accused of wanting to attack power plants, including Beaver Valley Power Station and Limerick Generating Station in Pennsylvania and Salem Nuclear power plant in New Jersey; the Army-Navy football game; and military locations including the Valley Forge Military Academy and College, the Pentagon and Fort Bragg.
“Mr. Rahman viewed Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind of the World Trade attack, as an inspirational leader. For a short while, he set the image of Osama Bin Laden as his What’s App profile photo,” said Listenbee.
Prosecutors say the teen had a “deep-hatred” of the LGBTQ community and, after careful consideration, “it was concluded that he was at least considering targeting the LGBTQ+ community and the Pride parade.”
Listenbee said investigators discovered Abdul-Rahman had made focused searches relating to the Philadelphia Pride March, including dates and times, the locations of trash cans along the route, and information about making "trash can bombs."
Prosecutors say he wanted to move to Syria and become the primary bombmaker for terrorist groups linked to Al-Qaeda, and that he had gathered tactical “gear” for his alleged planned attacks, including explosives, and combat attire. Listenbee said he planned to buy an AK-47 online after his 18th birthday.
Listenbee says it is not yet clear how Abdul-Rahman became radicalized or if federal prosecutors will take up the case. He is being held on $5 million bail.