An Amarillo man, Erfan Salmanzadeh, was sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison for his involvement in a plot to blow up a local high school. The sentencing on a weapons of mass destruction charge was announced by U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Salmanzadeh, a 34-year-old naturalized citizen of the U.S. born in Iran, was charged in July 2021 and indicted the following month. He pleaded guilty in December 2022 to the use and attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction. U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk sentenced him to 135 months in prison.
According to authorities, Salmanzadeh set off a bomb in his backyard using homemade triacetone triperoxide (TATP) on July 26, 2021. He later admitted that he did it to see the extent of the damage such an explosion could cause. After neighbors reported the blast and law enforcement arrived to investigate, he flushed a gallon-sized jar of TATP powder down the toilet. He also hid a suicide vest and a nail bomb in a dumpster in his alleyway.
During the investigation, bomb technicians found residual TATP in Salmanzadeh’s toilet bowl and TATP residue on a white PVC pipe in his bedroom closet. They also recovered the suicide vest, which contained sewn pockets filled with red cylindrical taped tubes labeled “dynamite,” and the nail bomb from the dumpster.
Authorities reviewed Salmanzadeh’s electronic devices and discovered a video he recorded on July 22, 2021, in which he threatened to blow up a local high school. In the video, he displayed the nail bomb filled with shrapnel, the suicide vest filled with pipes labeled dynamite, a suitcase filled with containers labeled explosives, and a backpack filled with bottles labeled explosives. Additional videos showed Salmanzadeh conducting test explosions, and several journals contained notes and formulas related to the production of explosives.
During the plea hearing, Salmanzadeh admitted to using the internet for research on constructing TATP and weapons of mass destruction. He also confessed to purchasing a plane ticket to California on July 28, 2021, in an attempt to avoid detection by law enforcement after a bombing.
U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton urged the community to report suspicious behavior to law enforcement, emphasizing the importance of partnership in swiftly addressing potential dangers. The FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Chad Yarbrough expressed gratitude to the various law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation, including the Amarillo Police Department, North Texas Joint Terrorism Taskforce, Homeland Security Investigations, the Texas Department of Public Safety, Randall County Sheriff’s Office, and the Amarillo Fire Department.
Yarbrough emphasized that the sentence holds Salmanzadeh accountable for possessing a device capable of causing significant damage and endangering innocent people. He encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
The case highlights the potential threat posed by individuals who privately plot acts of violence. The successful intervention in this case prevented a potentially devastating attack on a local high school. It also serves as a reminder of the need for collaboration between law enforcement and the community in order to combat potential threats to public safety.
The investigation into Salmanzadeh’s activities revealed the dangerous combination of access to information online and the motivation to carry out acts of violence. It is essential for authorities to continue monitoring and addressing potential threats to ensure the safety and security of the community.
The severe sentence imposed on Salmanzadeh sends a strong message that individuals planning or attempting to carry out acts of violence will face serious consequences. It serves as a deterrent to others who may be contemplating similar acts and underscores the commitment of law enforcement to protect the community from potential harm.
In conclusion, Salmanzadeh’s plot to blow up a local high school was foiled, thanks to the vigilance of neighbors and the swift response of law enforcement. The successful prosecution and sentencing of Salmanzadeh highlight the importance of reporting suspicious behavior and the need for cooperation between law enforcement and the community in addressing potential dangers. It also emphasizes the ongoing efforts of authorities to monitor and prevent acts of violence, ensuring the safety and security of the public.
