Munthar Omar Saleh, a 20-year-old aeronautics student living in New York, was arrested last weekend on suspicion of conspiring to commit an act of terror in the name of ISIS. FBI investigators alleged that Saleh pledged allegiance to ISIS and considers himself a full member. Further surveillance also revealed Saleh’s plans to construct an explosive out of a pressure cooker as well as a series of internet searchers for New York City landmarks that might have been the target of Saleh’s plot.
However, FBI agents continued to have their work cut out for them this week while investigating 21-year-old Fareed Mumuni. Investigators arrived at Mumuni’s home with a warrant to search the premises. After identifying themselves to Mumuni and beginning the search, the agents requested Mumuni move a couch in his living room to the side. Instead, Mumuni attacked the agents, repeatedly plunging a large kitchen knife into one agent’s chest. None of the stabs were able to pierce the agent’s body armor, and Mumuni was quickly apprehended.
After his arrest, Mumuni allegedly admitted to investigators both his involvement with Selah’s terror plot and that his assault on the officers was premeditated under the condition that the officers would prevent him from joining and supporting ISIS. Mumuni’s attorney, Anthony Ricco, who claims that his client never pledged allegiance to ISIS, despite testimony from law enforcement officials to the contrary, disputes some of this information.
While Selah’s case is still under investigation, Mumuni could face as many as 20 years in prison for the premeditated assault charges alone. Law enforcement officials have stated that they expect there to be further arrests, implying that Mumuni and Selah were not acting alone. As Selah’s plot continues to unfold, hopefully agents will be able to swiftly apprehend the rest of Selah’s compatriots and put a stop to any attempted ISIS attacks in the future.