Election Day terror plot suspect denied pretrial release

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — An Afghani national living in Oklahoma City accused of plotting an Election Day terrorist attack was denied release by a federal judge on Wednesday morning.

27-year-old Nasir Tawhedi appeared in federal court on Wednesday for a preliminary hearing after being arrested in Oklahoma for allegedly attempting to buy assault rifles and ammunition for an Election Day terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS.

The judge determined that, based on evidence provided, Tawhedi would be a danger to the community if released and that the court believes he is a flight risk. He was then handed back over to U.S. Marshals where he will remain in federal detention throughout the trial.

New details were also revealed about Tawhedi's background during the hearing. He previously worked as a security guard at the U.S. Eagle Base in Kabul, Afghanistan—the last base left standing after American troops exited the county.

Tawhedi also drove for Lyft and recently worked as a mechanic changing oil after moving to Oklahoma City in December 2023.

Tawhedi's public defender argued for his pretrial release, saying that because Tawhedi did not have a criminal record in the United States, he wouldn't be a flight risk. The judge, however, did not agree with that argument.