Amarillo and Sherman, Texas — A Saudi Arabian who lives in Lubbock, Texas, could be sentenced as early as Sept. 11 after being convicted by a federal jury of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction in connection with his purchase of chemicals and equipment necessary to make an improvised explosive device (IED), and his research of potential U.S. targets, including persons and infrastructure. Federal agents who searched the Texas apartment of Khalid Aldawsari testified during Aldawsari’s trial that they found sulfuric acid and nitric acid, among other things. Aldawsari faces up to life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. According to court documents and evidence presented during trial, Aldawsari had been researching online how to construct an IED using several chemicals as ingredients. He had also acquired or taken a substantial step toward acquiring most of the ingredients and equipment necessary to construct an IED and had conducted online research of several potential U.S. targets, the affidavit alleges. In addition, he had allegedly described his desire for violent jihad and martyrdom in blog postings and a personal journal. The verdict was reached earlier this month in the Northern District of Texas. In the meantime, in Amarillo, Anson Chi of Plano, Texas, was indicted for attempting to blow up a natural gas pipeline. His explosive device blew up prematurely, critically injuring him. The indictment did not identify what chemicals were in the device. He was charged with possession of an unregistered firearm or explosive device. If convicted, Chi faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
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