Two Pakistani-Americans living in Florida, pleaded guilty March 12 to terrorism violations and to assaulting two Deputy U.S. Marshals while in custody.
Brothers Raees Alam Qazi, 22, and Shehryar Alam Qazi, 32, of Oakland Park, Florida were arrested in November 2012 when they were planning an attack on New York City with explosives authorities said. During the hearing, the Qazi brothers acknowledged that Raees Alam Qazi, the younger brother, was going to initiate the attack and he was financially and emotionally supported by his older brother who encouraged him to launch the attack. The two face a potential statutory maximum sentence of 35 years and 20 years, respectively. The sentencing hearing is set for June 5.
The two brothers were charged with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction (explosives). In January 2015, a federal grand jury added additional terrorism charges and five counts of conspiracy, assault and attempted murder relating to an attack on two Deputy U.S. Marshals in April this year while the Qazis were in federal custody.
Raees Alam Qazi pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to provide material support and resources to terrorists in preparation for the use of a weapon of mass destruction, one count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and one count of conspiring to assault a federal employee. Under the terms of the plea agreement, the parties jointly agreed to recommend a 32-year prison sentence for Raees Qazi.
Shehreyar Alam Qazi pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to provide material support and resources to terrorists in preparation for the use of a weapon of mass destruction and one count of conspiring to assault a federal employee. Under the terms of the plea agreement, the parties jointly agree to recommend a 17-year prison sentence for Shehreyar.