Pipe bomber sentenced to 14 years in prison for blowing up ATM

Abdurrahim Jalal has been sentenced for blowing up a bank automated teller machine and possessing illegal explosive devices at his home.

“Jalal used deadly explosives to steal tens of thousands of dollars and then shamelessly gambled with the loot at a casino,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Although Jalal refused to wager his own money at the gaming tables, he will now pay the price for his crimes.”

“Abdurrahim Jalal chose greed over the safety of our community when he used an explosive to steal money,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “Violence and destruction of property will never be tolerated, and the FBI and our partners will continue to work together to ensure criminals like Jalal are held accountable.”

“The successful prosecution of Abdurrahim Jalal is a testament to our unwavering commitment to public safety. We will not tolerate the use of explosives in criminal activity, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that those who threaten our communities are brought to justice said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka.”

According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges and other information presented in court: At approximately 3:11 a.m. on March 29, 2023, Jalal blew up an ATM at the Bank of America branch located at the North DeKalb Mall in Decatur, Georgia. After the explosion, Jalal took approximately $90,000 from the vault of the machine. He then embarked on a multi-day gambling spree at a North Carolina casino. Investigators identified Jalal and obtained a warrant to search his home. They found eight fully assembled or nearly completed pipe bombs during that search.

On September 22, 2025, U.S. District Judge Michael L. Brown sentenced Abdurrahim Jalal, 55, of Decatur, Georgia to 14 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Jalal was found guilty of bank theft, use of an explosive to commit a felony, arson, and two counts of possession of an unregistered destructive device, after a bench trial on June 25, 2025.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, DeKalb County Police Department and the DeKalb County Fire Rescue.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Dash A. Cooper prosecuted the case.