Court Case

USA v. Chudhary, Awais

August 2019 (Updated August 26, 2022)
Queens, NY
Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS)

[EDNY] Awais Chudhary, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Pakistan, is charged in a criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. In August 2019, Chudhary communicated to undercover law enforcement officers through text messaging that he planned to conduct a stabbing or bombing attack on behalf of ISIS. Chudhary also wanted to record his attack to inspire others to commit similar acts of violence. Chudhary identified the pedestrian bridges over the Grand Central Parkway to the Flushing Bay Promenade (the Promenade) and the World's Fair Marina (the Marina) as locations in Queens for the attack. Chudhary told an undercover agent that he intended to use a knife "because that's what he knows," but if the undercover agent could instruct him on how to build a bomb, he would consider using an explosive device at a "mini-bridge over a busy road with many cars." Chudhary pleaded guilty in August 2022 in federal court in Brooklyn to attempting to provide material support to ISIS.

Case Updates

2022-08-26 | Queens Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS

Awais Chudhary, 22, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Pakistan and residing in Queens, pleaded guilty in August 2022 in federal court in Brooklyn to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. According to court filings, in August 2019, after watching violent terrorist propaganda videos, Chudhary pledged his allegiance to ISIS's then-leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and began planning for a knife or bomb attack as a lone wolf ISIS supporter. Chudhary identified targets, including the pedestrian bridges over the Grand Central Parkway and the Flushing Bay Promenade, where he intended to carry out the attacks. Chudhary sought guidance from individuals whom he believed to be ISIS supporters, including what type of knife to use and how to prevent detection from law enforcement by not leaving "traces of finger prints [or] DNA." Chudhary also sent a screenshot of a document from an ISIS propaganda magazine that included a diagram of the human body depicting where to stab victims with a knife. Chudhary conducted several reconnaissance trips to these locations and made video recordings of the areas he intended to attack. Chudhary ordered items online that he intended to use to commit a terrorist attack, including a tactical knife, a mask, gloves, and a cellphone chest and head strap – to facilitate his recording of the attack, which he hoped would serve as inspiration to other ISIS supporters. Chudhary was arrested as he attempted to retrieve the items from an online retailer's locker in Queens. When sentenced, Chudhary faces up to 20 years in prison.

Case Documents