Authorities arrest TikTok user accused of issuing terror-linked threats in Maryland

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Federal authorities have arrested a Florida man accused of using TikTok to issue violent threats while he was living in Maryland, according to an indictment unsealed Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.

Arsham Rashidi Dizajgan, 27, of Gainesville, Florida, has been charged with six counts of transmitting threats to injure another person across interstate or foreign commerce.

Dizajgan was taken into custody in Gainesville on the same day the indictment was unsealed.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley, FBI – Jacksonville Field Office; Police Chief Amal E. Awad, Anne Arundel County Police Department (AACOPD); and Chief of Police Nelson Moya, Gainesville Police Department (GPD).

Threats to the safety and security of American citizens will not be tolerated, particularly when such threats adopt the language and tactics of violent extremists and foreign terrorist organizations,” Hayes said, via press release. “We will investigate and prosecute such violations to the fullest extent of the law.

According to the indictment, Dizajgan lived in Arnold, Maryland, from September 2024 through March 2025.

During that period, he allegedly used TikTok to post photos and videos of Americans with upside-down red triangles placed over their heads — an image federal prosecutors say is used in Hamas propaganda videos to mark impending targets.

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The indictment states that these posts were accompanied by threatening language.

The FBI takes all threats seriously and will investigate each and every potential threat brought to our attention,” Paul said, via press release. “Swift collaboration between the FBI’s Baltimore and Jacksonville Field Offices, as well as the Anne Arundel County and Gainesville Police Departments, led to this arrest. We continue to encourage the public to report any concerning messages to law enforcement.

Authorities also allege that during the same timeframe, Dizajgan posted additional content condemning Americans and non-Muslims and praising violence against them.

This arrest reflects our unwavering commitment to protecting our communities,” Carley said, via press release. “When an individual uses social media to issue violent threats and signals support for a foreign terrorist organization, the FBI will hold that individual accountable. We take these threats seriously and will move quickly to ensure online rhetoric does not turn into real-world harm.

If convicted, Dizajgan faces federal penalties for each of the six counts.