Florida Resident Indicted for Attempting to Use Weapons of Mass Destruction

TAMPA, FL—United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Sami Osmakac (25, Pinellas Park) with attempting to use weapons of mass destruction and with possession of an unregistered machine gun. If convicted on all counts, Osmakac faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Osmakac that the United States intends to forfeit certain firearms and ammunition, which are alleged to have been involved in the commission of the offense.

According to the indictment, from at least as early as on or about November 18, 2011, and continuing until on or about January 7, 2012, Osmakac attempted to use weapons of mass destruction against persons and property in the United States. Additionally, on January 7, 2012, Osmakac possessed a machine gun without the firearm being registered to him on the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the FBI Tampa Division and the Tampa Joint Terrorism Task Force. It will be prosecuted by United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill and Assistant United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney, with assistance from Trial Attorney Clement McGovern of the Counterterrorism Section in the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.