Abdurrahim Jalal has been found guilty of detonating a pipe bomb to destroy an ATM and possessing illegal explosives. The conviction was announced following a bench trial on June 23, 2025.
"Criminals who use dangerous explosives to commit crimes will face federal prosecution to the fullest extent of the law," stated U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. He emphasized that actions threatening public safety would not be tolerated.
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown remarked, "Jalal put his own greed ahead of the safety of our community." He added that the FBI is committed to using all resources to apprehend those who resort to such extreme measures for financial gain.
ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka highlighted the threat posed by explosives in criminal activities, reaffirming their commitment to bringing perpetrators to justice.
The court heard that Jalal used a pipe bomb on March 29, 2023, in Decatur, Georgia, resulting in approximately $88,000 being stolen from an ATM vault. Subsequent investigations led authorities to discover additional explosive devices at his residence.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 22, 2025. Jalal faces a potential sentence ranging from a mandatory minimum of 15 years up to 60 years in prison and up to three years of supervised release thereafter. The final sentence will be influenced by the United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The case involves multiple agencies including the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, DeKalb County Police Department, and DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department. Assistant United States Attorney Dash A. Cooper is handling prosecution duties.
For more information, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office via email at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or phone at (404) 581-6185. Additional details can be found on their website: http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.