Radicalized Teen Wanted To Be Bomb Maker for Terrorists: Philly DA

PHILADELPHIA — A teenager taken into custody after trying to make weapons of mass destruction and communicating with individuals and groups designated by the U.S. State Department as global terrorists is being prosecuted as an adult in Philadelphia, authorities said Wednesday.

The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office said Muhyyee-Ud-Din Abdul-Rahman, 18, of West Philadelphia, will be charged as an adult, due to overwhelming evidence collected during an extensive law enforcement investigation indicating that he intended to cause a mass casualty event.

Following an extensive court hearing, over several days, state authorities argued in a brief to the court that "the public's interest would be served and that the defendant was not amenable to treatment, supervision, or rehabilitation as a juvenile" and that his case should be transferred to the adult justice system.

The Philadelphia Family Court concurred on Tuesday.

Rahman is charged with attempt to commit weapons of mass destruction; criminal conspiracy; arson; causing or risking catastrophe; attempt to commit criminal mischief; possession of an instrument of crime; and recklessly endangering another person.

Law enforcement started investigating Rahman after they received electronic communications between him and terrorist organizations in Syria. These communications indicated that Rahman wanted to become a bomb maker for these groups, identified as Katibat al Tawhid wal Jihad (KTJ) and Hay'at Tahrir al Sham (HTS).

KTJ is officially designated by the U.S. State Department as a global terrorist organization and is affiliated with Al-Qaeda.

As the investigation continued with assistance from various law enforcement agencies, agents uncovered evidence that the defendant was also gathering materials, including muriatic acid, potassium nitrate, and fertilizer, to construct explosives at his parents' residence.

Investigators also believe he tested such explosives a minimum of 12 times.

During this time he was also purchasing tactical combat gear, including a chest rig that can store multiple AK-47 magazines.

The defendant also attempted to create Triacetone Triperoxide, also called 'The Mother of Satan', which is considered an extremely potent and unstable type of explosive that even bomb technicians are prohibited from producing for testing purposes.

Rahman was arrested in August 2023.

After being Mirandized, Rhman was interviewed at length by law enforcement, in which he admitted his intent to assist terrorists overseas as a bombmaker. Agents subsequently conducted cell phone analysis after the defendant gave investigators access to two devices. Internet search histories indicated that Rahman was interested in the dates and times of local parades, including the Philadelphia Pride Parade.

Investigators also discovered evidence of his hatred for the LGBTQ+ community. Additional evidence indicated his interest in potentially targeting critical infrastructure throughout the region, including power plants and domestic military bases.

"We are grateful for the work of Assistant District Attorney Christopher Angelo, Supervisor of our Juvenile Unit, along with our justice partners, for collaborating on this investigation which likely prevented a horrific tragedy," District Attorney Larry Krasner said. "I also want to take this opportunity to denounce this defendant's twisted ideology, which in no way represents the overwhelming majority of peaceful people of faith, including the Muslim community. I hope Philadelphians join me in condemning hatred, bigotry, and violent political views in all of their forms."