NYPD Officer issues urgent 'sleeper cell' warning as ISIS-inspired teen bombers could face life sentence

By CHRIS MELORE, US ASSISTANT SCIENCE EDITOR Published: 03:58, 13 April 2026 | Updated: 03:58, 13 April 2026 A veteran NYPD officer has warned that Americans in major cities should still be on high alert and prepared for 'sleeper cells' to strike, one month after New York City narrowly avoided a disastrous terror attack.  On Tuesday, the two ISIS-inspired teens who threw homemade bombs during an anti-Islam protest were officially indicted on eight counts, including an attempt to use weapons of mass destruction and providing support to a terrorist organization.  Ibrahim Kayumi and Emir Balat were arrested on March 7 after throwing a 'Mother of Satan' explosive device in the direction of several police officers outside the mayor's mansion in Manhattan. If convicted on the most serious counts, they could face life in prison. Kayumi, 19, blurted out as he was being arrested that 'ISIS' was the reason for the unsuccessful attack, according to the criminal complaint against the men. Balat, 18, told authorities that he had pledged allegiance to the terrorist organization, and Kayumi asserted that he was affiliated with the Islamic State, the indictment added. Retired Deputy Inspector Raymond Festino, a 30-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, worked on the front lines of countless emergencies and told the Daily Mail that copycats and other extremists were likely already in the US and plotting similar crimes. Festino said: 'They're without question on high alert. I would say a good reason is, number one, that there are a lot of people who entered this country that the government is unaware of, and unaware of what their intention is.' 'You could have a bunch of sleeper cells that are sitting around, waiting to be activated. And now that there's a conflict going on in Iran, those sleeper cells could be activated.' Emir Balat was pictured throwing a homemade explosive device outside the New York City mayor's mansion on March 7 Two teens who later allegedly claimed they were inspired by ISIS were arrested after throwing a homemade 'Mother of Satan' bomb (Pictured) at police during an anti-Islam protest Balat was also asked by police if the pair were attempting to copy the bombing of the Boston Marathon in 2013, where two pressure-cooker bombs exploded near the finish line, killing three people and wounding hundreds more. The criminal complaint reported that Balat replied: 'No, even bigger.' He was allegedly aware that the Boston bombing had 'only caused three deaths.' Festino said that the public can take a few simple steps to make sure they stay safe, know what to do and are able to help police and others if another terror attack unfolds in front of them. First, the law enforcement veteran said the main thing a sleeper cell will take advantage of is that people are too distracted, usually by their phones, and unaware of their surroundings.  'When a perpetrator of a crime picks out a victim, it's almost like a "prey" situation. You have a predator looking for prey,' he warned. 'If you're unaware of what's going on in your surroundings, you make yourself prey.' Festino said it is particularly important to remain aware of where you are and where the exits are in case of emergency when visiting what the NYPD considers the likeliest targets to terrorists - crowded public spaces.  'In Manhattan, subway stations, Times Square, those are places where there are a lot of people in a little area. And people who want to try to do that want to maximize carnage. That's where they're gonna look for.' US security experts have also warned that Iranian sleeper cells and radicalized sympathizers are likely planning mass casualty attacks against 'soft' targets in retaliation for the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, including crowded locations such as concerts, sporting events and major public transportation hubs. According to the criminal complaint against them, the terror suspects were attempting to commit a deadlier attack than the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 Emir Balat hands Ibrahim Kayumi a homemade explosive device during a protest organized by far-right influencer Jake Lang on March 7 While it may be impossible for everyday citizens to prevent a terror plot from unfolding, Festino said there are two key things people can do as soon as an emergency erupts. The first is to make sure you are safe and out of immediate danger. Run for cover or away from the violence.  Festino added that you also need to make sure you are safe and unharmed before attempting to help others who may be hurt in the attack. Then, report everything you are able to see to the police as soon as possible. 'You need to be the eyes and the ears of law enforcement,' he explained. 'Because there are so many times that a crime will take place, and we just don't know. It'll be reported, but we have no details.' Festino said the most helpful information people can provide to 911 or a nearby police officer right after a terror attack is the exact location of what they saw, followed by a description of the suspects and the direction they were last seen moving in. 'Pay attention to what he looks like. What is he wearing? Then, what is he picking up? At that point, [it] looks like he's picking up something, or he's looking like he has a weapon on him. You immediately need to notify the authorities.' Festino noted that people who stop to record incidents on their phones could be capturing vital clues investigators need, but they also need to make sure they are in a safe location first and that they get the footage to police, not their social media followers. Still, the NYPD veteran called a cell phone the number one item everyone should have on them when they are out in public in case terrorists strike on US soil. 'Be able to communicate outside of wherever you are, and be able to record. Those are very important factors.'  Pictured: First responders and civilians run from the collapse of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 Former NYPD Deputy Inspector Raymond Festino (Pictured) warned that police are on high alert for more terror attacks amid the war in Iran US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton, FBI Director Kash Patel and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch revealed that Barat and Kayumi also face charges of carrying explosives while committing a federal crime, transporting explosive materials, moving explosives across state lines, and unlawful possession of destructive devices. The failed explosive device used by Barat and Kayumi contained a white, crystalline explosive material called triacetone triperoxide (TATP). It also contained an exterior layer of duct-taped nuts and bolts, and a hobby fuse that was reportedly connected to an M80-type firework. TATP has been linked to previous ISIS attacks, including the Paris attacks in 2015. Authorities have stressed there is no publicly confirmed, credible domestic terror plot at this time. However, Jen Gavito, a former diplomat and Pentagon adviser now at The Cohen Group, told the Daily Mail that Iran's 'asymmetric toolkit' poses the greatest danger to Americans. She warned that Tehran prefers deniable, indirect attacks rather than open military confrontation with the US. That includes assassination plots, cyber intrusions and overseas bombings, including the 1994 Buenos Aires attack that killed 85 people. The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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