PHOENIX – A coordinated effort by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI Phoenix Field Office and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO), has successfully averted a potential terrorist attack targeting the Phoenix Pride Festival. Marvin Jalo, a 17-year-old from Arizona, has been indicted on Class Two dangerous felony charges, including one count of terrorism and one count of conspiracy to commit terrorism. Jalo, born in October 2007, will be tried as an adult.
According to Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, Jalo had acquired materials to construct an explosive device and expressed his intent to attack the festival, which took place the weekend of October 20, 2024. The investigation revealed that Jalo had been discussing plans to make an improvised explosive device (IED) in online chat rooms between November 2023 and May 2024. He specifically sought to create TATP (triacetone triperoxide), a highly unstable and dangerous explosive capable of causing serious harm or death through shrapnel projection.
“It takes a tremendous amount of cooperative work by law enforcement to develop a lead, locate a suspect, interrupt an attack, and make an arrest before a tragedy could happen,” said County Attorney Mitchell. “I am deeply grateful and immensely proud of our MCAO investigators and our law enforcement partners for their integral involvement in this case.”
The arrest was made possible through collaboration between MCAO’s Investigations Unit, the FBI Phoenix Field Office, and the Buckeye and Glendale Police Departments. Jalo was taken into custody before he could carry out the planned attack, preventing a potential tragedy at one of Phoenix’s largest community events.
Jalo is currently being held on a $1 million cash-only bond. The Grand Jury indictment underscores the serious nature of the charges against him. If convicted, he could face significant prison time for his role in planning the attack.
While the charges against Jalo are serious, it is important to remember that he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case highlights the importance of vigilance and cooperation in preventing acts of terrorism. Law enforcement officials continue to work tirelessly to protect the public and thwart potential threats before they can be carried out.
For more information or updates on the case, visit the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office website.
