A US citizen, serving in the US Army National Guard, was charged with attempting to provide 3D-printed weapons to an individual on behalf of al-Qaeda, the Justice Department announced last week.
Andrew Scott Hastings, 25, discussed committing acts of violence against US civilians "in furtherance of global jihad," the FBI learned, according to the Justice Department.
The court records indicated that Hastings was serving as an aircraft powertrain repairer and held a national security clearance.
While serving in the National Guard, Hastings left the US while failing to report his travel, as required, the Justice Department confirmed.
Hastings is alleged to have told social media group members that they need to "develop cyberspace skills and to start physical training."
During months worth of discussions, he offered to provide anyone interested with hundreds of pages of notes, including army manuals related to military tactics and weapons manufacturing, the Justice Department stated.
He claimed to group members that he had been previously detained and interrogated by law enforcement, and explained to them how to avoid law enforcement. He also alleged that he had produced a firearm, was interested in creating a nuclear weapon, and discussed the advantages of using tunnels to protect armed terrorists, possibly inspired by Hamas's use of Gaza terror tunnels, the Justice Department noted.
His claims to have been previously detained and interrogated by law enforcement were corroborated when agents learned that the Tulsa Police Department received complaints that he was talking about making explosive devices when working at a restaurant in September 2019, according to court documents cited by Army Times.
However, he told the police that he was misunderstood, simply possessing an interest in chemistry and rockets, the court documents added, according to the report.
He began communicating with an undercover agent who claimed to have contacts with the global terror group al-Qaeda. The two discussed 3D printed firearms, machinegun conversion devices, commonly referred to as "switches," and unmanned aerial vehicles, the Justice Department stated.
Hastings provided the agent with a link to a website where he was offering to sell 3D printed "switches." Court documents show that he was seen on surveillance footage arriving at a postal facility to ship boxes that contained more than 100 3D-printed "switches," along with other 3D-printed and traditionally manufactured gun parts to be supplied to al-Qaeda, on two separate occasions.
Military officials react to National Guard soldier being charged with al-Qaeda links
“The successful arrest of this soldier is a testament to the strong partnership between Army Counterintelligence Command and the FBI,” the US Army's official media site Army.mil cited Army Counterintelligence Command chief Brig.-Gen. Sean F. Stinchon as saying.
"ACIC remains committed to working alongside the FBI and Department of Justice to ensure individuals who support terrorist organizations are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” he added.
Hastings had no deployments during his service with the National Guard, Bureau officials clarified to Army Times. His awards during his service include the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Aviation Badge, the officials told the outlet.
Hastings agreed to a voluntary discharge from the National Guard on June 6, the Justice Department clarified, pending the investigation into his activities.
The FBI Oklahoma City – Tulsa Resident Agency Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Army Counterintelligence Command, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Tulsa Police Department are investigating the case.