United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge for the Minneapolis Division Richard T. Thornton today announced charges filed against MOHAMED ALI OMAR, 21, for knowingly and intentionally threatening a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) during a routine interview. The defendant made an initial appearance this afternoon before Magistrate Judge Steven E. Rau in United States District Court in St. Paul, Minn. His next court appearance is expected on Friday, November 14, 2014 in United States District Court in St. Paul, Minn.

“The safety and security of FBI employees is of paramount concern to the organization,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Thornton. “The FBI will aggressively address all actual or implied threats to its employees.”

“Those who threaten violence against federal agents are committing a crime,” said U.S. Attorney Luger. “Any person has the right not to talk to law enforcement officers. But it is a crime to threaten violence against a federal law enforcement agent. This Office will do everything in our power to ensure the continued safety of federal agents.”

According to the complaint and documents filed in court, on November 6, 2014, two FBI Agents and a language interpreter went to OMAR’S house in South Minneapolis to interview a member of his family about the possible commission of an unrelated crime. When the agents and interpreter arrived outside of the house, OMAR opened the door and directed obscene language toward the FBI agents, threatened to “put down” the interpreter, and told the agents that “he had a permit to carry, and that if they came back, he would get them.” OMAR also told that agents that they “knew his history.” Taken in combination with the defendant’s history, the FBI agents understood him to mean that he would shoot at them if they returned to his house.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI.

Defendant Information:

• MOHAMED ALI OMAR, 21
• Minneapolis, Minn.

Charges:

• Knowingly and intentionally threatening a federal officer, 1 count