In 2008, Carlos Almonte gained attention for his participation in a protest at the Israeli Embassy in NYC, wielding a banner with a disturbing message: “Death to all Juice,” advocating for the annihilation of Jews.
This act marked the beginning of a tumultuous journey that would later reveal his transformation into a convicted Islamic extremist.
Who is Carlos Almonte?
Carlos Almonte, initially known for protesting at the Israeli Embassy in NYC with a banner expressing anti-Jewish sentiments, later emerged as a convert to Islam and a convicted Islamic extremist. Alongside his friend Mohamed Hamoud Alessa, Almonte planned to join the Somali-based terror group Al-Shabaab.
The duo was arrested in June 2010 at JFK International Airport as they attempted to board separate international flights. Almonte, also known as Omar, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in April 2013 for conspiring to commit acts of international terrorism on behalf of Al-Shabaab.
Born in the Dominican Republic in 1983 or 1984, Almonte became a U.S. citizen and was incarcerated for his involvement in extremist activities. The FBI investigation, codenamed “Operation Arabian Knight,” revealed their radicalization, acquisition of extremist content, and preparation for a journey to Somalia to join Al-Shabaab.
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The case underscored the challenges of counterterrorism efforts in monitoring and preventing individuals from engaging in terrorist activities.
