Following an FBI raid at a residence on Woodbine Avenue, a 17-year-old West Philadelphia Kid was detained in the United States as part of an ongoing terrorism investigation.
He is charged with having contact with an Al-Qaeda front organisation.
District Attorney Larry Krasner of Philadelphia stated at a news conference that the juvenile charges against the adolescent who was taken into custody on Friday, August 11.
According to Krasner, "the young man who is under arrest is an aspiring terrorist who was not only thinking, but was also acting in ways that are deeply disturbing and presented a serious threat to everyone."
The adolescent allegedly purchased ingredients and started the construction of a nuclear bomb.
At the press briefing, FBI Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire stated, "Among the items he purchased were tactical equipment, wiring, chemicals, and devices frequently used as remote detonators."
"He had taken steps to start putting potential devices together, as well as steps to acquire those items and materials that are frequently used in improvised explosive devices," Maguire said.
When the FBI learned that the kid had allegedly communicated with Katibat al Tawhid wal Jihad (KTJ), a foreign terrorist group linked to al Qaeda, an inquiry was launched. The FBI tracked down the teen over many weeks and launched a surveillance-based inquiry.
In addition, the adolescent had access to "quite a significant number of firearms," according to Maguire.
He is currently accused of possessing weapons of mass destruction, engaging in criminal conspiracy, setting fire to property, causing or risking a catastrophe, attempting to cause criminal mischief, and endangering another person recklessly, according to Krasner.
Although the case has been filed in juvenile court, the district attorney's office is requesting that it be transferred to adult court, according to Krasner.
The teen's arrest Friday night in Philadelphia prompted a significant police response. As part of the investigation, dozens of FBI officers and other law enforcement partners descended on a neighbourhood in the Overbrook neighbourhood of Philadelphia on Friday and searched a residential residence.
According to Maguire, the FBI searched two different places.
The FBI moved immediately to detain the teen after it was discovered that he had gathered the components needed to construct a workable device, according to FBI Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire.
