A former U.S. Navy recruit, Xuanyu Harry Pang, has admitted to helping plan an attack on Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois as revenge for the 2020 death of Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani.
Authorities say Pang, 38, took photos and videos of the naval base and downtown Chicago and shared them with an undercover FBI agent who pretended to be part of the plot. He also discussed ways to cause mass destruction and suggested targeting crowded areas like Michigan Avenue. In one conversation, he mentioned an attacker could walk down the street and suddenly open fire.
The investigation revealed that before joining the Navy in 2022, Pang had already been in contact with an associate discussing ways to smuggle radioactive polonium into the U.S. The associate warned Pang to keep his family away from big cities, hinting at a large-scale attack. The FBI later infiltrated this network by creating a fake online identity and gaining Pang’s trust.
In September 2022, Pang met with an undercover agent in downtown Chicago. The agent, posing as someone seeking revenge for Soleimani’s death, asked Pang for intelligence on military locations. Pang initially warned about tight security in Chicago but suggested festivals and food fairs as potential targets. He later provided the agent with detailed images of Naval Station Great Lakes, including the security gate, executive offices, barracks, and athletic field.
On October 8, 2022, Pang received $3,000 for his assistance. A week later, he provided additional photos and even delivered two U.S. military uniforms and a phone that he was told would be used to test a detonator. He was paid another $2,000 for these materials.
Federal authorities unsealed the case against Pang two years after his arrest. In November 2024, he pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to harm national defense facilities and conspiring to obstruct U.S. military operations. He now faces up to 20 years in federal prison. His sentencing is scheduled for May 27, and he remains in custody without bail.
Pang’s case is similar to a 2015 plot by Hasan and Jonas Edmonds, who planned an attack on the Joliet Armory in Illinois for the Islamic State. Both were convicted, with Hasan receiving a 30-year prison sentence and Jonas 21 years.
This case highlights ongoing national security threats and the role of undercover FBI operations in preventing attacks.
