Abdurrahim Jalal has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for detonating an explosive device at a Bank of America ATM and possessing illegal explosives at his residence. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge Michael L. Brown on September 22, 2025. Jalal, 55, from Decatur, Georgia, will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.
According to court records, Jalal used explosives to access the ATM vault at the North DeKalb Mall branch in Decatur on March 29, 2023, stealing approximately $90,000. Afterward, he spent several days gambling at a casino in North Carolina.
“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.”
Investigators identified Jalal as a suspect and obtained a search warrant for his home where they discovered eight pipe bombs that were either fully assembled or nearly completed.
Jalal was convicted after a bench trial on June 25, 2025. He was found guilty on charges including bank theft, use of an explosive to commit a felony, arson, and two counts related to possession of unregistered destructive devices.
The investigation involved multiple agencies: the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), DeKalb County Police Department, and DeKalb County Fire Rescue.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dash A. Cooper prosecuted the case.
More information about this case can be found on the website for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia: http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
