Former Nationwide Guardsman Accused Of 3D-Printing Weapons For Al-Qaeda

[ad_1] A 25-year-old former member of the Nationwide Guard is accused of making an attempt to offer 3D-printed weapons to somebody he believed was a member of al-Qaeda, in accordance with a prison criticism unsealed on Wednesday.

Whereas serving within the Nationwide Guard, Andrew Hastings of Tulsa, Oklahoma, allegedly shipped a couple of hundred components for weapons to an secret agent with the intent of helping the novel Islamic terrorist group. He's charged with making an attempt to offer materials assist or sources to a chosen international terrorist group and unlawful possession or switch of a machine gun.

Hastings first got here beneath FBI scrutiny in June 2024 after he was discovered to be “discussing committing acts of violence in opposition to U.S. civilians in furtherance of worldwide jihad” on a social media app, in accordance with the Justice Division. On the time, he labored as an plane powertrain repairer and held a nationwide safety clearance.

On social media, Hastings allegedly inspired others in a bunch chat discussing acts of terrorism to develop our on-line world expertise and begin bodily coaching. He allegedly supplied to offer Military manuals associated to ways and the manufacture of weapons and expressed curiosity in making a nuclear weapon.

In response to the criticism, Hastings then started conversing with an secret agent who claimed to have ties to al-Qaeda. Surveillance footage cited in courtroom paperwork reportedly exhibits Hastings dropping off bins at a submit workplace to ship 3D printed machine gun conversion switches, two 3D printed decrease receivers for a handgun, a handgun slide, and different handgun components for “al-Qaida to be used in terrorist assaults.”

Investigators additionally said that he took an abroad journey with out reporting it to his superiors as required. Hastings voluntarily left the Nationwide Guard on June 6, 2025, because the investigation was ongoing.

The FBI, the Military, the ATF, and the Tulsa Police Division investigated the case.

“The profitable arrest of this Soldier is a testomony to the sturdy partnership between Military Counterintelligence Command and the FBI,” stated Brig. Gen. Sean Stinchon, the commanding common of Military Counterintelligence Command, including that the Military remained dedicated to making sure that “people who assist terrorist organizations are held accountable to the fullest extent of the legislation.”