It was a scene you don’t typically see in Upper Montclair: federal law enforcement agents converging on a quiet corner at the intersection of Valley Place and Upper Mountain Avenue. The neighborhood was thrust into the center of a major national security operation after a multi-agency task force, led by the FBI and New York City Police Department’s (NYPD), arrested two local teenagers for a conspiracy that, according to authorities, was ISIS-inspired. This is all part of a broader investigation into an alleged plot to conduct terror attacks during halloween, leading to several arrests across the country.
Here’s what we know so far:
The two Montclair residents, 19-year-olds Milo Sedarat and Tomas Kaan Jimenez-Guzel, face federal charges stemming from an alleged ISIS-inspired conspiracy that spanned multiple states. According to federal court filings, Sedarat and Jimenez-Guzel are accused of communicating with a Michigan-based group allegedly planning a mass casualty attack modeled after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. That group reportedly referred to the planned assault as “the pumpkin operation,” using coded language and emojis in encrypted online chats. The group allegedly focused their threats on LGBTQ+ and Jewish communities while emphasizing their devotion to extremist ideologies, a direct challenge to Montclair’s diverse and inclusive community values.
The preemptive action was confirmed by FBI Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, who stated that members of the FBI Newark Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) “showed the dexterity and swiftness it takes to protect this country from those who wish to harm us.” Roddy concluded: “Our most important mandate is to stop something bad from happening before it happens, we did that here, and we will continue to do it every single day.”
"This week, members of the FBI Newark Joint Terrorism Task Force showed the dexterity and swiftness it takes to protect this country from those who wish to harm us. The agents, intelligence analysts, professional staff, task force officers, prosecutors, as well as federal, state… pic.twitter.com/OYGspMswox
— FBI Newark (@FBINewark) November 6, 2025
The Local Connection and The EWR Interception
The arrests followed a months-long FBI investigation that linked the Montclair suspects directly to the unfolding federal investigation in Michigan.
While Sedarat was arrested at his family home in Montclair,, his co-conspirator, Tomas Kaan Jimenez-Guzel a computer science freshman who enrolled at Rowan University in the fall, was taken into custody on Tuesday at a food court in Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
Authorities allege Jimenez-Guzel, a Montclair resident, was attempting to flee to Turkey, with the ultimate destination being Syria where he planned to travel onward to train and fight for the Islamic State (ISIS). Investigators determined that Jimenez-Guzel had originally scheduled his flight for a later date but accelerated his departure following news of the federal raids and arrests of his alleged co-conspirators in the Detroit area. This hastened timeline provides clear evidence of a direct, operational link between the New Jersey and Michigan cells. Court documents captured the sense of panic, citing Jimenez-Guzel communicating his immediate need to flee to a confidential FBI source, according to the court filing: “IF we don’t leave, we are cooked…. We are gonna be in Turkey tomorrow.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Statement: Evidence of Preparation
The charges against the Montclair residents were officially announced by Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba in a video statement posted to X/Twitter.
— US Attorney Habba (@USAttyHabba) November 5, 2025
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, the criminal complaint “describes a pattern of antisemitic messages advocating violence, along with images and purchases consistent with preparation for attack, including a knife and sword collection, tactical gear, and images of him practicing at a gun range.” This collection of material assets (tactical gear, weapons, and documented practice) is crucial, transforming online rhetoric into alleged concrete preparations for either domestic violence or combat overseas.
Furthermore, authorities state they found numerous ISIS-inspired messages on Jimenez-Guzel’s phone, including an online statement about conducting a “Boston bombing-like attack” and photographs of him standing in front of the ISIS flag while holding a knife.
Both New Jersey residents, Sedarat and Jimenez-Guzel, have been charged with conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Jimenez-Guzel faces an additional charge of attempted conspiracy to provide material support. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and lifetime supervised release.
The “Pumpkin Operation”
The local arrests were inextricably linked to a JTTF investigation in the Detroit area that resulted in charges against three Michigan men: Mohmed Ali, Majed Mahmoud, and Ayob Nasser.
The Montclair suspects were allegedly part of a chat group communicating with these Michigan-based co-conspirators. In these encrypted online chats, the pair were accused of discussing plans for a coordinated attack that was modeled after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing . The planned assault, code-named “the pumpkin operation” (an apparent reference to the timing around Halloween weekend), involved sharing extremist materials and discussing mass casualty events that included the Boston Marathon bombing, the Columbine High School shooting, and the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting.
The Michigan group was allegedly planned to carry out an attack on LGBTQ+ bars in suburban Detroit. Additionally, investigators claim that Ayob Nasser, along with a minor identified in court documents, traveled twice in September to scout an amusement park in northern Ohio.
U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. in Michigan said the investigation is ongoing. “We will not stop. We will follow the tentacles where they lead. We will continue to stand guard with the FBI against terrorism.”
However, defense attorneys representing the Michigan detainees have challenged the severity of the federal claims. Dearborn attorney Amir Makled stated that there was “no imminent plan” and suggested the allegations were the result of “hysteria” and “fearmongering.”
Jimenez-Guzel made his initial appearance Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Newark. Sedarat also appeared, arriving shackled at the wrists and ankles, wearing a grey hoodie and faint mustache.
As the investigation unfolds, The Montclair Pod will continue to follow the story and provide updates as new information becomes available.
This article and its featured image were created with the assistance of Gemini Deep Research
