Federal authorities have charged Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub Al-Muhtadi, a 31-year-old Louisiana resident, with conspiracy to support a foreign terrorist organization and visa fraud, alleging his involvement in the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led assault on Israel which killed 1,200 people and led to over 250 kidnappings.

Al-Muhtadi was arrested Thursday in Lafayette, where he had been working since relocating from Tulsa. According to an FBI complaint unsealed Friday, he participated in the border breach near Kfar Aza and coordinated with others using encrypted communications. He is accused of concealing his paramilitary ties on a visa application filed in Cairo, which led to his U.S. residency approval in 2024.

Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the pursuit of justice for American victims, while Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry suggested Al-Muhtadi could be housed in the state’s new immigration wing at Angola prison.

The case, built on digital surveillance and intercepted communications, highlights the global reach of the October 7 attack and the challenges of vetting immigration claims.

Al-Muhtadi faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted. His legal counsel has not yet commented.