Man Indicted On Terror Charge In Alleged National Harbor Attack

GERMANTOWN, MD — Rondell Henry — a Germantown man accused of stealing a U-Haul vehicle to run down pedestrians at Prince George's County National Harbor earlier this year — has been indicted on a terrorism-related charge, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday.

A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Henry, 28, with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, ISIS. Back in April, he was also charged with interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle. He will remain jailed pending his trial.

"Law enforcement is working tirelessly to prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks, whether they come from within or outside the United States," said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. "We will continue to use every lawful tool at our disposal to find and prosecute those who want to do this country harm. This indictment is the next step in holding Rondell Henry accountable for his actions."

Prosecutors say Henry was inspired by the Islamic State terrorist group and planned to run down pedestrians with a stolen U-Haul truck at the National Harbor.

According to court documents, Henry harbored hatred for people who did not practice the Muslim faith and wanted to conduct a vehicle attack, similar to one in 2016 that killed 86 people in Nice, France. ISIS claimed responsibility for that attack.

From March 26 through March 28, Henry tried to provide "material support and resources," including himself, to ISIS, court documents state. It was during this time that Henry was reported missing from work.

According to a six-page detention memo, Henry walked off his job "determined to walk down the extremist path."

Shortly leaving his job, Henry stole a U-Haul truck from a parking lot in Alexandria, Virginia. He initially thought about attacking Dulles International Airport on March 27, but couldn't breach the security perimeter, prosecutors said.

Henry then decided to take a trip to the National Harbor, located just outside Washington, D.C. When he arrived, prosecutors allege Henry broke into a boat to hide in overnight. The following morning, police tracked down the stolen van.

He was arrested on March 28.

If convicted, Henry faces a up to 20 years in prison for attempting to provide material support to ISIS, and 10 years in prison for interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle.

SEE ALSO:

• Man Planned ISIS-Inspired Attack At National Harbor: Prosecutors
  
• Man Who Planned Terror Attack At National Harbor Detained: Report