Germantown Man Indicted On Terror Charge In Alleged ISIS-Inspired Plot

A Germantown man accused of plotting to drive a stolen U-Haul truck into people at National Harbor was indicted on charges of attempting to provide material support to ISIS.

Rondell Henry was arrested in March has been held in federal custody since April 3. He was initially charged with one count of interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle. He pleaded not guilty to that charge.

“Law enforcement is working tirelessly to prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks, whether they come from within or outside the United States," U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur said in a statement. "We will continue to use every lawful tool at our disposal to find and prosecute those who want to do this country harm. This indictment is the next step in holding Rondell Henry accountable for his actions.”

In the new indictment, prosecutors allege that Henry stole the U-Haul van in Alexandria, Virginia, on March 27 and then drove it into Maryland with designs on using it as a weapon against pedestrians on sidewalks in National Harbor. Police found the stolen truck in National Harbor that same day. On surveillance video, officers allegedly saw Henry parking and exiting the vehicle. Prince George's County police arrested him the next day.

At a hearing in April, prosecutors told a judge that after mulling it over for two years and watching Islamic State videos on his cellphone, Henry broke his lease, walked off his job and stole the truck, which he drove around for two days from Washington Dulles International Airport to National Harbor, looking for people to mow down. Authorities say Henry told investigators he planned to carry out an attack similar to one in France in 2016 that left dozens dead.

"The defendant, allegedly inspired by ISIS and its violent ideology, stole a vehicle as part of his plan to kill and injure innocent pedestrians," Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers said. "The National Security Division, working with our partners, remains committed to identifying and holding accountable those who would commit terrorist attacks on our soil.”

Henry faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted on both charges.

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WBAL-TV 11 and the Associated Press contributed to this report.