Rondell Henry Indicted On Terror Charge In Alleged ISIS-Inspired Plot
GREENBELT, Md. (WJZ) -- A Maryland man accused of planning an ISIS-inspired attack at the National Harbor has been indicted on a terrorism-related charge.
A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted Rondell Henry, 28, on charges of attempting to provide material support to ISIS.
"Earlier today, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment on Rondell Henry, a Germantown resident for attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, specifically ISIS," U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert Hur said.
According to the indictment released on Wednesday, Henry "did knowingly attempt to provide material support and resources, including personnel (specifically himself) and services, to a foreign terrorist organization -- mainly ISIS."
Federal prosecutors say on March 26, Henry stole a U-Haul van in Virginia and drove to Dulles Airport. Security, however, was tight and the crowd was too small.
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Instead, investigators say Henry went to the National Harbor in Prince George's County, hid in a boat overnight and waited until he found the right time to carry out the attack.
His plan, however, was stopped short by police who spotted the stolen U-Haul van and arrested him. He was charged with one count of driving a stolen vehicle across state lines.
Henry pleaded not guilty back in April.
"ISIS is what we allege inspired Henry, and he wanted to recreate terrorist havoc and death here in Maryland," Hur said.
Documents say Henry harbored hatred for non-Muslims for at least two years and watched ISIS videos online.
Authorities say Henry told investigators he planned to carry out an attack similar to one in which a driver ran over and killed dozens of people in France in 2016.
"It's critically important for us to be reacting to incidents and news like this before any loss of life or before any harm to innocent people can come to pass," Hur said.
If convicted, Henry faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for attempting to provide material support to ISIS, and 10 years in prison for interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle.
