Man accused of terrorist threats pleads guilty to firearms charge

John Hult
Argus Leader

A man accused of making terrorist threats at an anti-Islam event in south Sioux Falls this Spring has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms charge.

Ehab Jaber, 46, was indicted in May on a charge of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person based on his use of methamphetamine.

More:Man accused of terrorist threats pleads not guilty to meth charges

Jaber broadcast a Facebook Live video outside an April event at the Hilton Garden Inn South featuring Tennessee-based radio host Brannon Howse and Muslim-turned-pastor Shahram Hadian.

The pair’s talk was built on the premise that Islam poses a unique danger to the United States. Protesters lined the sidewalk leading to the hotel on the night of the event.

Ehab Abdulmutta Jaber, 45, is escorted into Minnehaha County Courthouse on Monday.

Jaber made an appearance inside, wearing a blue t-shirt announcing “I am an American. I am a Muslim. I open carry. And conceal carry. I am only dangerous if you are stupid.”

More:What's it take to be charged with terrorism in S.D.?

After leaving, Jaber recorded a video, in which he held up a series of firearms while saying “if you want to be afraid, be afraid.”

Jaber was later charged with making a terrorist threat in Lincoln County, where the hotel is located, and with possession of methamphetamine in Minnehaha County, where he lives.

The federal charge stems from Jaber’s use of methamphetamine. Federal law prohibits the possession of firearms by people who use controlled substances.

On Tuesday afternoon, Jaber admitted that he had four pistols and one rifle at a time when he’d been using methamphetamine, specifically between April 9 and April 21.

More:Man facing terrorist charges indicted on firearm charge

Jaber smiled at his son after entering the courtroom in a black t-shirt and a pair of jail-issue sandals Tuesday. He told Judge Veronica Duffy he’d only taken medications for a heart condition prior to the hearing, and therefore was fully competent to plead guilty.

Judge Duffy read through a list of rights he might lose by pleading guilty, including the right to vote, to possess firearms, run for office, serve on a jury or receive federal benefits for five years after his conviction.

“Ma’am, after all this is said and done, I don’t want any of them,” Jaber said.

The maximum sentence for the firearms charge is 10 years in federal prison. Jaber’s plea agreement offers a reduced sentence, but Duffy told him no sentencing recommendation would be accurate until after the completion of a pre-sentence investigation.

Jaber faces up to five years in prison on the state terrorism charge and another five years for possession of methamphetamine.

Lincoln County State’s Attorney Tom Wollman said Tuesday that state authorities will wait until the federal case is completed before proceeding in state court.

His federal court sentence date has not been set.