by NEWARK, NJ – Two New Jersey teenagers were arrested this week in connection with an alleged ISIS-inspired terrorist plot that federal authorities say targeted the LGBTQ+ community in Michigan on Halloween. The FBI claims the arrests stopped what could have been a deadly attack modeled after the 2015 Paris terror assaults.
Teen Suspects Accused of ISIS-Inspired Plan
The suspects, identified as Tomas Kaan Guzel and Milo Sedarat, both 19, were taken into custody after investigators uncovered evidence linking them to an extremist plot coordinated with other alleged co-conspirators. According to reports by ABC News and The New York Post, federal agents and the NYPD arrested Guzel at Newark Liberty International Airport just moments before he attempted to board a flight to Istanbul.
Sedarat, meanwhile, was detained at his father’s home in Montclair, New Jersey, sources told. Authorities believe both young men were part of an online network promoting extremist propaganda and coordinating a potential attack on Halloween, referred to in encrypted messages as “pumpkin day.”
Plot Allegedly Targeted LGBTQ+ Community in Detroit
Federal investigators allege the group planned to attack members of the LGBTQ+ community in Detroit, Michigan, in an assault inspired by the ISIS attacks in Paris in 2015, which killed 130 people.
Court documents reportedly show that the suspects used encrypted messaging apps and social media to exchange ISIS-related materials and discuss their plans. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force began investigating after an undercover NYPD officer infiltrated their online network.
The officer allegedly monitored conversations where the group expressed support for ISIS and shared violent extremist content. They also discussed traveling to Syria for training with the terrorist organization.
Arrests Across Multiple States
Authorities confirmed that in addition to the two New Jersey arrests, two other men — identified as Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud — were taken into custody in Michigan on Friday for their alleged roles in the same plot.
Sources told The Post that Guzel accelerated his plans to leave the United States after the Michigan arrests, purchasing a ticket to Turkey with an intended final destination of Syria. He was intercepted by law enforcement in a food court at Newark Airport’s Terminal B, where FBI agents and NYPD officers took him into custody before he could board his flight.
Son of a Noted Poet Among the Accused
One of the suspects, Milo Sedarat, is reportedly the son of Roger Sedarat, an award-winning Iranian-American poet and literature professor. The elder Sedarat has not been accused of any wrongdoing and has not issued a public statement regarding his son’s arrest.
The connection has drawn additional public attention to the case, highlighting the often unpredictable paths of online radicalization among young Americans.
Federal Authorities Cite Prevented Attack
Federal officials have not released formal terrorism charges yet but have emphasized that the arrests prevented what could have been a deadly attack. “This case demonstrates how quickly online extremism can turn into real-world threats,” one law enforcement source told reporters.
The FBI and Department of Justice have not provided specific details about the weapons, timeline, or exact location of the planned assault but confirmed that the investigation remains active.
Authorities are now working to determine whether others in the online network were involved and whether international operatives provided any guidance or resources.
Investigators Warn of Online Radicalization
Counterterrorism experts say the case underscores the growing trend of extremist recruitment through encrypted communication platforms. Young individuals, often isolated and disillusioned, are being exposed to propaganda that glorifies violence and religious extremism.
“Social media has become one of the most powerful tools for groups like ISIS to target vulnerable individuals,” said one security analyst familiar with the investigation. “What we’re seeing now are young Americans being radicalized without ever leaving their bedrooms.”
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings
As of Thursday, Guzel and Sedarat remain in federal custody. Both are expected to appear in court in the coming days, where prosecutors may outline the full scope of the charges.
Officials in Michigan and New Jersey are coordinating with the FBI’s Detroit and Newark field offices to trace the group’s communications and identify any potential accomplices.
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Authorities have not disclosed whether the suspects had access to weapons or explosives but said their communications indicated clear intent to carry out an attack modeled after the Paris-style coordinated assaults.
Community Reaction
The arrests have shocked residents in both New Jersey and Michigan, particularly in Montclair, where Sedarat’s family is known for its academic and artistic background. “It’s terrifying to think this was being planned by kids from our own town,” said one Montclair resident.
Federal officials are urging the public to remain alert and to report any suspicious extremist activity or online content to the FBI’s tip line.
What’s your take on the growing number of youth radicalization cases linked to online networks? Join the discussion and share your thoughts at race-day-live.com.
