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BY THE LEGAL EAGLE

FBI Arrests Three Individuals in Connection with Alleged Plot to Provide Support to Terrorist Group

On November 7, 2024, federal authorities arrested three individuals—Farhad Shakeri, Carlisle Rivera (a/k/a “Pop”), and Jonathan Loadholt—in connection with a conspiracy to provide material support to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO).

The charges, outlined in a federal indictment, accuse the three of conspiring to aid the IRGC, which has been responsible for numerous acts of terrorism and was officially designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. State Department in 2019.

The case, which was brought before the Southern District of New York, centers around the defendants’ alleged activities from December 2023 until the time of their arrests. According to the indictment, Farhad Shakeri, a key figure in the conspiracy, along with his co-defendants, conspired to provide material support to the IRGC, including services, property, and personnel.

The indictment notes that the defendants knew the IRGC was a designated terrorist group and was actively engaged in terrorism and other violent activities worldwide.

The federal indictment details how the three individuals were connected to the IRGC through multiple covert operations. While specific evidence remains sealed, prosecutors have alleged that Shakeri played a central role in coordinating the supply of resources to the IRGC.

His associates, Rivera and Loadholt, are accused of facilitating the movement of funds and goods intended to support the IRGC’s operations. Authorities assert that their actions were aimed at advancing the terrorist organization’s strategic goals in the Middle East and beyond.

This arrest comes as part of a broader effort by the U.S. government to clamp down on foreign terrorist organizations and individuals seeking to undermine national security. Federal agents from the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and other specialized counterterrorism units were involved in the investigation, which reportedly spanned multiple countries, including Iran. The three individuals were apprehended after months of surveillance and intelligence gathering, which included wiretaps and undercover operations.

The defendants face serious charges under U.S. law, specifically Title 18 of the U.S. Code, which prohibits providing material support or resources to designated terrorist organizations.

If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in prison. The case is expected to raise important legal questions surrounding the scope of U.S. jurisdiction over individuals operating abroad and the application of counterterrorism laws to international conspiracies.

Shakeri, Rivera, and Loadholt are currently in federal custody, awaiting their first appearances in court. Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the defendants’ motives or their broader network of associates.

However, the arrest is seen as a significant step in the ongoing U.S. efforts to disrupt the operations of the IRGC and other terrorist organizations that threaten American interests and global security.