The Arlington man accused of threatening on Facebook to set off bombs around D.C. has a long history of mental illness and had drugs and a gun in his home, according to federal prosecutors. Awais Younis, 25, was charged last month in federal court in Alexandria and will remain in custody pending trial, U.S. District Judge T. S. Ellis ruled Thursday. Authorities say Younis, who also goes by Sundullah “Sunny” Ghilzai, threatened in Facebook chat messages to set off explosives in the Metro system and in Georgetown.
Younis’ attorneys had challenged his detention, arguing in court papers that he was not a flight risk, had no criminal record and no history of violent behavior.
But prosecutors say Younis’ past includes violent outbursts and mental-health treatment. And a gun, ammunition and marijuana were discovered in his residence, according to court documents filed by prosecutors this week, meaning his home isn’t a suitable place for him to be released.
Ellis said he was concerned by Younis’ past and the lack of a suitable guardian for Younis if he were to be released. Defense attorney Frank Salvato said in court that no third-party custodian had been identified.
“This is a troubled young man,” Ellis said.
Court records say authorities found a loaded .40-caliber Glock handgun in a shoebox in the bedroom of Younis’ 11-year-old sister. More ammunition was found hidden in a humidifier, and more than $22,000 in cash and 11 pounds of marijuana under her bed.
“The defendant’s family and residence reflect very serious deficits,” prosecutors said in court papers. “They may be supplying drugs to the unemployed defendant who they believed to have genuine mental health issues.”
Court records say Younis first underwent treatment for mental health in middle school and most recently was referred for mental counseling in November at George Mason University, where he was a student. Younis has transferred among at least three colleges over the past six years, according to court documents.
The documents say family and friends reported that Younis could be prone to violence.
A friend told an FBI agent that Younis has “smashed up” computers over poor grades. A brother said Younis used to beat up his younger siblings.
According to the affidavit for his arrest, Younis described on Facebook how to build a pipe bomb and advocated placing bombs on the third and fifth cars of Metro trains because they “had the highest number of commuters.” He also allegedly said he could put a bomb under a Georgetown sewer head at rush hour.
