Newly released federal documents reveal disturbing behavior from alleged jihadists in Montclair, New Jersey. These individuals expressed desires to behead non-believers and sought notoriety through ISIS-inspired attacks, including intentions to target Jewish communities in the culturally diverse suburbs of New York City.
Thomas Kern Jimenez Guzel, a 19-year-old from a wealthy family, was apprehended at Newark Airport while preparing to board a flight to Turkey. Authorities state that he intended to travel to Syria to pledge allegiance to ISIS, as outlined in a detailed criminal complaint.
Federal agents have also shared a photo of Jiménez Guzel, whose father is a United Nations diplomat, posing menacingly in front of an ISIS flag while holding a knife.
Another suspect, Milo Sedarat, also 19 and the son of a well-known Iranian-American poet, voiced his anger over his mother’s Jewish friendships. Reports suggest he expressed a desire to kill “500 Jews” and enslave their families.
Syed Ali Mileh, a 19-year-old from Kent, Washington, was arrested shortly after as well, having been tracked down outside Washington before a planned flight to Turkey.
Conversations among the teens revealed a troubling depth of commitment to jihadist ideology, illustrating a pattern of aggression and violence. In one video chat, Mileh suggested that if they were to produce propaganda, members must be ready to commit murder. Jiménez Guzel reportedly expressed his willingness to participate, stating, “I’ll do it, bro.”
Another conversation had Jiménez Guzel reflecting on wanting to make history, even mentioning aspirations for a Netflix documentary or a Wikipedia page dedicated to their actions.
He claimed he would eventually be known as “one of the 100 most evil people in the world.”
In a chilling moment of the chat, Mileh advised the group that they “need to let someone live,” implying that true initiation requires a mindset where hesitation is not an option. To this, Jiménez Guzel responded with unsettling ease, “Brother, it’s easy for me.”
A social media message from Jimenez Guzel featured an Arabic phrase translated as “Kill them in silence,” which encouraged Muslims to enact jihad and terrorize non-believers in retaliation for perceived injustices against Muslims.
This document also suggested various means—knives, axes, and even vehicles—to carry out attacks against Christians and Jews, implying that even basic tools could instigate chaos in Europe and the Americas.
Both individuals face serious charges: conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and attempted conspiracy. Jimenez Guzel has made his initial court appearance in Newark, while Mileh appeared in a Seattle courtroom.
If found guilty, they could potentially face up to 20 years in prison along with significant fines and supervised release.
