Las Vegas sheriff intervenes in release of teenage ISIS suspect
By David Charns,
2024-08-26
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill intervened in the possible release of a teenager suspected of plotting a terror attack following a judge’s ruling, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned.
Joshua Robles was 16 when Las Vegas Metro police arrested him in late November. Because of his age at the time, the courts and police kept Robles’ name and details about his arrest confidential. Earlier this month, a judge certified Robles as an adult before a Clark County grand jury indicted him on terror-related charges, including providing material support for acts of terrorism or terrorists and attempting to commit or cause an act of terrorism.
Las Vegas Justice Court Pro Temp Judge Lauren Diefenbach initially set Robles’ bail at $10,000, adding should Robles post bail, he would be placed on house arrest with electronic monitoring. Prosecutors argued for Diefenbach to set the amount at $1 million.
Though Robles did not post bail, the sheriff sent a letter to the court citing two state laws, which allow him to deny putting an inmate on house arrest amid a potential public safety risk.
“Our investigation has revealed that Robles is radicalized to commit terrorism on behalf of the designated foreign terrorist organization the Islamic State,” McMahill said. “He has assisted the Islamic State in recruiting others and has radicalized to Islamic State.”
In addition, lawyers for the Metro police noted that “Nevada is a presidential and senatorial battleground state” and said political rallies ahead of November “present targets for terrorist attacks.” Metro’s lawyers also note the planning of a terror attack in Europe at a Taylor Swift concert involving teenagers.
Robles was never released and remained in custody as of Monday. Following Robles’ grand jury indictment, a district court judge reset Robles’ bail at $1 million.
On Nov. 29, 2023, police raided Robles’ home finding components they said could be used to make an explosive device. Specifically, police believe Robles was building explosive devices similar to the ones that killed three and injured hundreds in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Police suspect Robles may have been interested in carrying out an arson attack on Jan. 1, 2024, they said. Documents indicate Robles was searching for information and floorplans for Chaparral High School in the east valley.
Police also found a passage in a notebook about “The Islamic State-Las Vegas Province” and using improvised attacks, documents said.
During an interview with police, Robles said “he did not intend to carry out an attack” but was posting to “troll” other users, documents said.
During a news conference announcing Robles’ arrest in November, police said they found terrorism propaganda, a handmade ISIS flag, a headband and patches in Robles’ home. Evidence also included ISIS and Al-Qaida propaganda, radicalization materials, and guidance for conducting a terrorist attack, investigators said. Police also found self-portraits of the suspect wearing the material and surrounded by propaganda, self-produced terrorism propaganda and anti-Semitic threats, they said.
In court last week, Robles pleaded not guilty. A judge will readdress bail on Wednesday.
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