Man Who Tweeted FBI Death Threats Works Security At U.S. Bank Stadium
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A friend of those sentenced on Monday tweeted death threats against federal employees in response to the arrests last year. Khaalid Abdulkadir is currently on probation.
Abdulkadir calls himself a regular American-Somali kid. One who got caught up when friends were arrested for plotting to join ISIS.
"As teenagers we're always on social media, we talk to a lot of people. We post a lot of tweets," Abdulkadir said.
One of the threats reads in part, "Kill them FBI and expletive Judge." Court documents show he admitted the threats were meant to intimidate.
"Yes I did admit to sending these tweets but I do not recall any of them," Abdulkadir said.
Abdulkadir said he has no knowledge of ISIS recruiting in Minnesota. But the 20-year-old admits there is a disconnect with Somali-American Muslim teens.
"When you're in the middle of the old culture and the new culture that we're in right now being American Muslim, American Somali kid you try to figure your own self out, maybe someone that gets the best of you sometimes," Abdulkadir said.
Court documents show Abdulkadir connected with known terror suspects from Minnesota over social media. He told WCCO he doesn't recall it.
Instead, he calls life on probation tough. He's required to wear an ankle monitor.
"It's hard to see when I try to get a different job or put myself in a different situation that I'm being targeted as a terrorist," Abdulkadir said.
"Have you ever been interested in joining ISIS?" WCCO Reporter Jennifer Mayerle asked.
"No," Abdulkadir said.
"Have you ever thought about leaving Minnesota for that cause?"
"No."
He currently has two jobs.
"I work at U.S. Bank Stadium as a security guard and I'm also working at a home care," Abdulkadir said.
Abdulkadir is responsible for checking what people bring into the stadium. He said his punishment taught him a lesson.
"It opened my eyes to be honest and it changed my life around too, the way I think, the way I see stuff," Abdulkadir said.
As part of the plea, Abdulkadir's charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor. He faced 25 years in prison. The judge sentenced him to three years probation, with conditions. We're told he did violate at least one of those by lying about where he was going.
