Mississippi resident Jaelyn Young is a U.S. citizen and convicted ISIS sympathizer. She was was arrested in August 2015 after allegedly attempting to join ISIS travel to ISIS-controlled territory with her fiancé, Muhammad Dakhlalla.Richard Fausset, “Young Mississippi Couple Linked to ISIS, Perplexing All,” August 14, 2015, New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/15/us/disbelief-in-mississippi-at-how-far-isis-message-can-travel.html?_r=0. According to U.S. authorities, the pair engaged in numerous conversations on social media sites with FBI agents disguised as ISIS recruiters.“United States of America v. Jaelyn Delshaun Young and Muhammada Oda Dakhlalla,” United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, May 21, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/705906/download. Young and Dakhlalla communicated with these agents from May 2015 until their arrest on August 8, 2015.“United States of America v. Jaelyn Delshaun Young and Muhammada Oda Dakhlalla,” United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, May 21, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/705906/download. Dakhlalla pled guilty to terrorism related charges on March 11,2016. Later that month, on March 29, Young followed suit and pled guilty to conspiring to provide material support to a terrorist organization.Associated Press, “Mississippi man pleads guilty in ISIS aid case,” CBS News, March 11, 2016, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mississippi-man-pleads-guilty-in-isis-aid-case/;
“Mississippi woman who tried to join ISIS pleads guilty,” CBS News, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/jaelyn-young-mississippi-woman-who-tried-to-join-isis-pleads-guilty/. A U.S. district judge sentenced Young to 12 years in prison on August 11, 2016.Jeff Amy, “Mississippi woman gets 12-year sentence on terrorism charge,” Associated Press, August 11, 2016, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/383e88cda66c44b6a66c9536a9eb0bbf/mississippi-woman-be-sentenced-terrorism-charges. Young reportedly broke down in sobs at her sentencing, and said that she was ashamed of her actions.Associated Press, “Jaelyn Young, Mississippi woman who tried to join ISIS, gets 12 years in prison,” Al.com, August 11, 2016, http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2016/08/jaelyn_young_mississippi_woman_1.html.

Young expressed her desire to join and assist ISIS on numerous occasions during the FBI investigation. In correspondences with the FBI agents, Young said that she could not “wait to get to Dawlah [ISIS-controlled territory],” so she could be “amongst brothers and sisters under the protection of Allah and to raise little Dawlah cubs in sha Allah.”“United States of America v. Jaelyn Delshaun Young and Muhammada Oda Dakhlalla,” United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, May 21, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/705906/download. She cited that the U.S. has a “thick cloud of falsehoods and very little truth about Dawlah makes it through.”Jeff Amy, “No Bail for Couple Accused of Trying to Join Islamic State,” Associated Press, August 11, 2015, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/0603eac522484178a462982f3d07d2d6/mississippians-charged-trying-join-islamic-state.

Young offered ISIS her services, stating that she was “skilled at math and chemistry,” and that Dakhlalla was “good at computer science/media.”Marie Andrusewicz, “Mississippi Couple Accused Of Trying To Join ISIS,” National Public Radio, August 12, 2015, Washington Post, http://www.npr.org/2015/08/12/431803342/mississippi-couple-arrested-for-attempting-to-join-isis.

According to authorities, Young and Dakhlalla meticulously planned their trip to Syria to join ISIS, which involved travelling from Mississippi to Turkey, and then onto Syria.“United States of America v. Jaelyn Delshaun Young and Muhammada Oda Dakhlalla,” United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, May 21, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/705906/download. Jeff Amy, “No Bail for Couple Accused of Trying to Join Islamic State,” Associated Press, August 11, 2015, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/0603eac522484178a462982f3d07d2d6/mississippians-charged-trying-join-islamic-state. Young even planned the kind of clothing she would wear, so she would be instantly recognizable to the recruiters who she believed would assist her in crossing over into Syria.“United States of America v. Jaelyn Delshaun Young and Muhammada Oda Dakhlalla,” United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, May 21, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/705906/download.

The day before their arrest, Young and Dakhlalla purchased airline tickets for Delta Airlines flight 5703, which departed from Columbus, Mississippi, with a final destination of Istanbul, Turkey.Chris Thies, “Timeline of events leading to the arrest of alleged ISIS recruits,” KMOV St Louis, August 13, 2015, http://www.kmov.com/story/29784129/timeline-of-events-leading-to-the-arrest-of-alleged-isis-recruits. On August 8, they were stopped and arrested at Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus.Chris Thies, “Timeline of events leading to the arrest of alleged ISIS recruits,” KMOV St Louis, August 13, 2015, http://www.kmov.com/story/29784129/timeline-of-events-leading-to-the-arrest-of-alleged-isis-recruits.

On August 11, 2015, a federal magistrate in Mississippi ordered that Young and Dakhlalla be held without bail.Jeff Amy, “No Bail for Couple Accused of Trying to Join Islamic State,” Associated Press, August 11, 2015, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/0603eac522484178a462982f3d07d2d6/mississippians-charged-trying-join-islamic-state. The pair was charged with attempting and conspiring to knowingly provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization.Richard Fausset, “Young Mississippi Couple Linked to ISIS, Perplexing All,” August 14, 2015, New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/15/us/disbelief-in-mississippi-at-how-far-isis-message-can-travel.html?_r=0.

Young is the daughter of a police officer and Navy veteran in the Vicksburg, Mississippi Police Department. She was an honor student in high school and a chemistry major at Mississippi State University.Richard Fausset, “Young Mississippi Couple Linked to ISIS, Perplexing All,” August 14, 2015, New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/15/us/disbelief-in-mississippi-at-how-far-isis-message-can-travel.html?_r=0.

Liban Haji Mohamed is a naturalized U.S. citizen of Somali origin who is wanted by the FBI on charges of providing material support and resources to Somali terrorist group al-Shabab. Mohamed disappeared from his home in northern Virginia in July 2012, allegedly traveling to Somalia to join al-Shabab. U.S. authorities accuse Mohamed of playing an operational role in al-Shabab and attempting to recruit for the terror organization.“Liban Haji Mohamed,” FBI, accessed June 18, 2020, https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/wanted_terrorists/liban-haji-mohamed; “Alexandria Man on FBI Most Wanted List Indicted on Terrorism Charges,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 26, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/alexandria-man-fbi-most-wanted-list-indicted-terrorism-charges.

Mohamed worked as a taxi driver in northern Virginia’s Fairfax County when he left the United States for East Africa on July 5, 2012, allegedly to join al-Shabab. According to the U.S. government’s charges against him, Mohamed attempted to recruit an undercover U.S. agent to provide combat training to the Somali terrorist group. U.S. authorities also linked Mohamed to Zachary Chesser, a U.S. citizen serving a prison sentence for aiding al-Shabab. According to the FBI, Chesser and Mohamed were close associates. The FBI reportedly began monitoring Mohamed after Chesser’s arrest in 2010.“Alexandria Man on FBI Most Wanted List Indicted on Terrorism Charges,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 26, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/alexandria-man-fbi-most-wanted-list-indicted-terrorism-charges; Adam Goldman and Matt Zapotosky, “Virginia cabbie on FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list detained in Somalia,” March 2, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/virginia-cabdriver-on-fbi-most-wanted-terrorists-list-detained-in-somalia/2015/03/02/98519b36-c10b-11e4-9ec2-b418f57a4a99_story.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_9&itid=lk_interstitial_manual_8.

In early 2012, federal investigators suspected Mohamed intended to travel to Texas and then Mexico in order to fly to Somalia. They sought to have him arrested on charges of material support before his departure, but FBI and National Security Division officials ruled there was not yet enough evidence to charge him. U.S. officials reportedly decided they needed a clear expression of intent from Mohamed and devised a plan to arrest him in Texas just before he crossed into Mexico. According to officials, Mohamed became suspicious and eluded authorities as he crossed through Texas and into Mexico in July 2012.Adam Goldman and Matt Zapotosky, “Virginia cabbie on FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list detained in Somalia,” March 2, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/virginia-cabdriver-on-fbi-most-wanted-terrorists-list-detained-in-somalia/2015/03/02/98519b36-c10b-11e4-9ec2-b418f57a4a99_story.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_9&itid=lk_interstitial_manual_8.

U.S. authorities allege Mohamed went on to join al-Shabab in Somalia. A family lawyer in the United States contested that Mohamed would join al-Shabab, noting that the terror group had killed Mohamed’s uncle and imprisoned his cousins. According to the attorney, Gadeir Abbas, family members reached out to federal authorities after Mohamed had disappeared without explanation in the summer of 2012 but received no help in locating him.Matt Zapotosky, “Lawyer: FBI terror suspect had relatives who were killed by al-Shabab,” Washington Post, January 30, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/lawyer-fbis-terror-suspect-had-relatives-who-were-killed-by-al-shabab/2015/01/30/2c8f9858-a8a6-11e4-a7c2-03d37af98440_story.html. Interpol issued a red notice listing Mohamed as a wanted fugitive in July 2012 after he left the United States.“Alexandria Man on FBI Most Wanted List Indicted on Terrorism Charges,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 26, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/alexandria-man-fbi-most-wanted-list-indicted-terrorism-charges; Adam Goldman and Matt Zapotosky, “Virginia cabbie on FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list detained in Somalia,” March 2, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/virginia-cabdriver-on-fbi-most-wanted-terrorists-list-detained-in-somalia/2015/03/02/98519b36-c10b-11e4-9ec2-b418f57a4a99_story.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_9&itid=lk_interstitial_manual_8.

In February 2014, U.S. prosecutors filed a sealed arrest warrant for Mohamed on charges of providing material support and resources to al-Shabab.Matt Zapotosky, “Lawyer: FBI terror suspect had relatives who were killed by al-Shabab,” Washington Post, January 30, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/lawyer-fbis-terror-suspect-had-relatives-who-were-killed-by-al-shabab/2015/01/30/2c8f9858-a8a6-11e4-a7c2-03d37af98440_story.html. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Virginia unsealed the warrant the following year on January 29, 2015. The FBI subsequently added Mohamed to its “Most Wanted List” of terrorists and offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.Tom Jackman, “Alexandria man, on most-wanted terrorists list, charged with aiding al-Shabab,” Washington Post, May 26, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/crime-law/2020/05/26/alexandria-man-most-wanted-terrorists-list-indicted-aiding-al-shebab/. The FBI also labeled Mohamed “an asset to his terrorist associates who might plot attacks on U.S. soil.”Adam Goldman and Matt Zapotosky, “Virginia cabbie on FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list detained in Somalia,” March 2, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/virginia-cabdriver-on-fbi-most-wanted-terrorists-list-detained-in-somalia/2015/03/02/98519b36-c10b-11e4-9ec2-b418f57a4a99_story.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_9&itid=lk_interstitial_manual_8.

The charges against Mohamed marked the second time federal authorities had investigated his family. The day after the government unsealed the warrant against Mohamed in January 2015, his brother, Gulet Mohamed, appeared at a hearing in Virginia regarding a lawsuit against the U.S. government. Gulet Mohamed had been placed on the U.S. no-fly list in 2009 while traveling abroad at the time studying Islam. After spending time in Yemen and Somalia, he traveled to Kuwait where he was arrested in August 2009 as he tried to renew his visa. Gulet Mohamed told his brother that Kuwait authorities had tortured him. Gulet Mohamed returned to the United States in January 2011, and no charges were filed against him. With the American Civil Liberties Union, Gulet Mohamed filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government over his inclusion on the no-fly list. The Mohamed family attorney questioned the timing of the government unsealing the warrant for Liban Mohamed the day before the first hearing of Gulet Mohamed’s case.Peter Finn and Kafia A. Hosh, “N.Va. teen who was on no-fly list tells of his ordeal in Kuwait,” Washington Post, January 21, 2011, https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/21/AR2011012107062.html?sid=ST2011012102248&tid=a_inl_manual; Matt Zapotosky, “Lawyer: FBI terror suspect had relatives who were killed by al-Shabab,” Washington Post, January 30, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/lawyer-fbis-terror-suspect-had-relatives-who-were-killed-by-al-shabab/2015/01/30/2c8f9858-a8a6-11e4-a7c2-03d37af98440_story.html.

Somali authorities reportedly captured Liban Mohamed in late January 2015 after the United States unsealed his arrest warrant. The United States does not have an extradition treaty with Somalia.Adam Goldman and Matt Zapotosky, “Virginia cabbie on FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list detained in Somalia,” Washington Post, March 2, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/virginia-cabdriver-on-fbi-most-wanted-terrorists-list-detained-in-somalia/2015/03/02/98519b36-c10b-11e4-9ec2-b418f57a4a99_story.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_9&itid=lk_interstitial_manual_8. It is unclear whether Mohamed remains in Somali custody. He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted in the United States.“Alexandria Man on FBI Most Wanted List Indicted on Terrorism Charges,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 26, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/alexandria-man-fbi-most-wanted-list-indicted-terrorism-charges.

American citizen Patrick Crusius is the alleged gunman who carried out a mass shooting at Walmart in El Paso, Texas, on August 3, 2019. The attack killed 23 people and injured 22 others. He was indicted on 90 federal charges, including dozens of counts of hate crimes.Robert Moore and Mark Berman, “Accused El Paso gunman charged with federal hate crimes,” Washington Post, February 6, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/accused-el-paso-gunman-charged-with-federal-hate-crimes/2020/02/06/5335db2a-b9ef-11e9-a091-6a96e67d9cce_story.html. He is being held without bond in El Paso County Jail.Cedar Attanasio, “El Paso mass shooting suspect pleads not guilty in 22 deaths,” Associated Press, October 10, 2019, https://apnews.com/3fd473325d17429784e91a3c8c7b3909. On February 8, 2023, Crusius pleaded guilty to all 90 federal charges.Ashley Killough and Holly Yan, “Suspect in Texas Walmart massacre that left 23 dead in El Paso pleads guilty to 90 federal charges,” CNN, February 8, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/08/us/el-paso-shooting-suspect-patrick-crusius-federal-plea/index.html. On July 7, 2023, Crusius was sentenced to 90 consecutive life sentences.Morgan Lee and Paul J. Weber, “Texas gunman in Walmart shooting gets 90 consecutive life sentences and may still face death penalty,” Associated Press, July 7, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/el-paso-walmart-shooting-crusius-6e8b5f654d9c2b51e377c09bfdda9caf.

Crusius grew up in an upper middle class home in Allen, Texas.Michael Biesecker, Reese Dunklin And Michael Kunzelman, “El Paso suspect appears to have posted anti-immigrant screed,” Associated Press, August 4, 2019, https://apnews.com/df6dc60f37664833ba3b953927ef835d. According to his LinkedIn page, Crusius described himself as not “really motivated to do anything more than what’s necessary to get by” and that he spent most of his day on the computer.Tim Arango, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs and Katie Benner, “Minutes Before El Paso Killing, Hate-Filled Manifesto Appears Online,” New York Times, August 3, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/03/us/patrick-crusius-el-paso-shooter-manifesto.html. According to reports, Crusius was unemployed and recently moved out of his grandparents’ house at the time of the shooting.Christina Maxouris, Nicole Chavez, Eric Levenson and Amir Vera, “El Paso vigils bring together a city in mourning after mass shooting,” CNN, August 5, 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/05/us/el-paso-shooting-monday/index.html.

On August 3, 2019, Crusius drove 10 hours from his home in Allen to El Paso, Texas, where he walked into a Walmart Supercenter. According to reports, he opened fire in the store’s parking lot prior to entering the store. The attack killed 22 and wounded more than 20 others. Witnesses claim Crusius went aisle by aisle throughout the packed store.Michael Biesecker, Reese Dunklin and Michael Kunzelman, “El Paso suspect appears to have posted anti-immigrant screed,” Associated Press, August 4, 2019, https://apnews.com/df6dc60f37664833ba3b953927ef835d. First responders arrived within six minutes the attack. Among the casualties, 13 were U.S. citizens and seven were Mexican nationals.Tara Law and Josiah Bates, “El Paso Shooting Suspect Told Police He Was Targeting 'Mexicans.' Here's What to Know About the Case,” Time, August 9, 2019, https://time.com/5643110/el-paso-texas-mall-shooting/. Shortly after the shooting, Crusius fled the scene in his car and was stopped at an intersection, where he identified himself as the shooter and surrendered to El Paso authorities.“The Latest: Cops: El Paso shooter surrendered with hands up,” Associated Press, March 17, 2020, https://apnews.com/fb9da3b70601417ab9c93dd5e69005f0.

Minutes before the attack, Crusius posted a manifesto on 8chan’s politically incorrect board, an online message board known for attracting far right and neo-Nazi users, which was filled with anti-immigrant rhetoric.Erin Ailworth, Georgia Wells and Ian Lovett, “Lost in Life, El Paso Suspect Found a Dark World Online,” Wall Street Journal, August 8, 2019, https://www.wsj.com/articles/lost-in-life-el-paso-suspect-found-a-dark-world-online-11565308783. Entitled “The Inconvenient Truth,” the manifesto detailed a plan to separate America into territories by race and invoked a white supremacy theory known as the “Great Replacement,” which claims white people are being replaced by foreigners.Yasmeen Abutaleb, “What’s inside the hate-filled manifesto linked to the alleged El Paso shooter,” Washington Post, August 4, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/08/04/whats-inside-hate-filled-manifesto-linked-el-paso-shooter/. The manifesto also drew direct inspiration from the Christchurch shootings at two different New Zealand mosques in March of 2019.Tim Arango, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs and Katie Benner, “Minutes Before El Paso Killing, Hate-Filled Manifesto Appears Online,” New York Times, August 3, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/03/us/patrick-crusius-el-paso-shooter-manifesto.html. In response to the Christchurch shootings, Crusius stated, “In general, I support the Christchurch shooter and his manifesto. This attack is a response to the Hispanic Invasion of Texas.”Tim Arango, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs and Katie Benner, “Minutes Before El Paso Killing, Hate-Filled Manifesto Appears Online,” New York Times, August 3, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/03/us/patrick-crusius-el-paso-shooter-manifesto.html.

Additionally, Crusius wrote that he hoped to kill as many Hispanic people as possible, claiming they were replacing native-born Americans and taking away job opportunities.Elizabeth Findell, “Accused El Paso Shooter Patrick Crusius Pleads Not Guilty,” Wall Street Journal, October 10, 2019, https://www.wsj.com/articles/accused-el-paso-shooter-patrick-crusius-pleads-not-guilty-11570739840.; Erin Ailworth, “El Paso Prosecutors to Seek Death Penalty for Walmart Shooter,” Wall Street Journal, September 12, 2019, https://www.wsj.com/articles/el-paso-prosecutors-to-seek-death-penalty-for-walmart-shooter-11568326013?mod=article_inline. He also claimed that automation will greatly reduce job opportunities for low-skilled Americans as corporations and businesses often prefer hiring immigrants who take on jobs for lower pay. He further chastised the government for environmental degradation which he believes can be counteracted if the United States had less people to consume resources.Yasmeen Abutaleb, “What’s inside the hate-filled manifesto linked to the alleged El Paso shooter,” Washington Post, August 4, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/08/04/whats-inside-hate-filled-manifesto-linked-el-paso-shooter/.

It is suspected that he targeted the shopping complex in El Paso because it is only five miles from the U.S.-Mexico border and the city has become a fixture in national dialogues concerning immigration.Michael Biesecker, Reese Dunklin And Michael Kunzelman, “El Paso suspect appears to have posted anti-immigrant screed,” Associated Press, August 4, 2019, https://apnews.com/df6dc60f37664833ba3b953927ef835d. Additionally, he wrote that he sought to attack “low-security” targets as a way to “fight to reclaim my country from destruction.”Michael Biesecker, Reese Dunklin And Michael Kunzelman, “El Paso suspect appears to have posted anti-immigrant screed,” Associated Press, August 4, 2019, https://apnews.com/df6dc60f37664833ba3b953927ef835d.; Christina Maxouris, Nicole Chavez, Eric Levenson and Amir Vera, “El Paso vigils bring together a city in mourning after mass shooting,” CNN, August 5, 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/05/us/el-paso-shooting-monday/index.html. According to federal prosecutors, Crusius carried out the attack as a way to scare Latinos into leaving the U.S.Cedar Attanasio, “Man charged in Walmart shooting appears in federal court,” Associated Press, February 12, 2020, https://apnews.com/b89bef3524360a94909945a0d3421db2.

According to law enforcement officials, Crusius would sporadically post online, using platforms such as Twitter and Facebook to espouse xenophobic views. Crusius told investigators that he developed his extremist views by doing research online and by reading other manifestos posted on 8chan. Crusius’s family was unaware of his radicalization, however, when his mother learned that Crusius purchased an AK-style rifle, she called Allen police and spoke to a safety-resource officer who ultimately told her that her son was legally allowed to own a gun.Erin Ailworth, Georgia Wells and Ian Lovett, “Lost in Life, El Paso Suspect Found a Dark World Online,” Wall Street Journal, August 8, 2020, https://www.wsj.com/articles/lost-in-life-el-paso-suspect-found-a-dark-world-online-11565308783.

On September 12, 2019, a local grand jury in El Paso indicted Crusius on capital murder charges, of which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Crusius. A month later on October 10, Crusius pled not guilty to capital murder charges in state court.Cedar Attanasio, “El Paso mass shooting suspect pleads not guilty in 22 deaths,” Associated Press, October 10, 2019, https://apnews.com/3fd473325d17429784e91a3c8c7b3909.

Several months later, on February 6, 2020, a federal grand jury indicted Crusius with over 90 charges including federal hate crimes and firearm charges in connection with the murder of 22 people and the attempted murder of 23 others.“Texas Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes and Firearm Offenses Related to August 3, 2019, Mass-Shooting in El Paso,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 6, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/texas-man-charged-federal-hate-crimes-and-firearm-offenses-related-august-3-2019-mass. On February 12, 2020, Crusius appeared in a federal court in El Paso, where he entered a not guilty plea.Cedar Attanasio, “Man charged in Walmart shooting appears in federal court,” Associated Press, February 12, 2020, https://apnews.com/b89bef3524360a94909945a0d3421db2. Following the death of a hospitalized shooting victim in July 2020, a federal grand jury issued a superseding 90-count indictment against Crusius. Crusius was charged with 23 counts of hate crimes resulting in death, 23 counts of use of a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a violent crime, 22 counts of hate crimes involving an attempt to kill, and 22 counts of use of a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime. The charges carry a maximum penalty of death or life in prison.“Federal Grand Jury in El Paso Returns Superseding Indictment against Patrick Crusius,” U.S. Department of Justice, July 9, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/federal-grand-jury-el-paso-returns-superseding-indictment-against-patrick-crusius.

The U.S. government stated it would not seek the death penalty in its case against Crusius on January 17, 2023.Ashley Killough, “US government won’t seek death penalty for accused Walmart shooter,” CNN, January 17, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/17/us/el-paso-walmart-patrick-crusius-no-federal-death-penalty/index.html. Crusius pleaded guilty to all 90 federal charges as part of a plea agreement on February 8, 2023. As part of the plea agreement, the prosecution recommended 90 consecutive life sentences.Ashley Killough and Holly Yan, “Suspect in Texas Walmart massacre that left 23 dead in El Paso pleads guilty to 90 federal charges,” CNN, February 8, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/08/us/el-paso-shooting-suspect-patrick-crusius-federal-plea/index.html. On July 7, 2023, Crusius was sentenced to 90 consecutive life sentences. U.S. District Judge David Guaderrama recommended Crusius serve the sentences at a maximum-security prison in Colorado. Though federal prosecutors chose not to pursue the death penalty, Crusius’s Texas state trial could still result in the punishment. That trial remained unscheduled as of the time of Crusius’s federal sentencing.Morgan Lee and Paul J. Weber, “Texas gunman in Walmart shooting gets 90 consecutive life sentences and may still face death penalty,” Associated Press, July 7, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/el-paso-walmart-shooting-crusius-6e8b5f654d9c2b51e377c09bfdda9caf.

Kaleb Cole is an alleged member of the Atomwaffen Division, a neo-Nazi group that grew out of a white supremacist forum called Iron March in 2016.“Atomwaffen Division (AWD),” Anti-Defamation League, https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounders/atomwaffen-division-awd. Cole was arrested in Montgomery, Texas on February 26, 2020 on a conspiracy charge accusing him of sending threatening mail and cyberstalking.Mike Baker, Adam Goldman and Neil MacFarquhar, “White Supremacists Targeted Journalists and a Trump Official, F.B.I. Says,” New York Times, February 26, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/26/us/atomwaffen-division-arrests.html; “Arrests in four states of racially motivated violent extremists targeting journalists and activists,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 26, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/arrests-four-states-racially-motivated-violent-extremists-targeting-journalists-and. He was convicted in January 2022 for his role in a plot to threaten and intimidate journalists and advocates who worked to expose antisemitism.“Leader of Neo-Nazi Group Sentenced for Plot to Target Journalists and Advocates,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 11, 2022, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/leader-neo-nazi-group-sentenced-plot-target-journalists-and-advocates.

According to reports, Cole was the former leader of Atomwaffen Division’s chapter in Washington.Ali Winston, “Atomwaffen Division’s Washington State Cell Leader Stripped of Arsenal in U.S., Banned from Canada,” The Daily Beast, October 19, 2020, https://www.thedailybeast.com/kaleb-james-cole-atomwaffen-divisions-washington-state-leader-stripped-of-arsenal-in-us-banned-from-canada. Atomwaffen Division describes itself as a revolutionary socialist organization centered on political activism seeking to put an end to the “cultural and racial displacement of the white race.”“Atomwaffen Division (AWD),” Anti-Defamation League, https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounders/atomwaffen-division-awd.

Cole came to the attention of Anacortes authorities in Washington in 2012 for allegedly harassing a Jewish grocery store owner by waving a Nazi flag outside the business, and Bellingham, Washington police after a report that he had neo-Nazi flags and memorabilia in his home in 2015.Asia Fields, “Neo-Nazi suspect, tied to Arlington, charged with gun crime,” Seattle Times, December 18, 2019, https://www.heraldnet.com/news/neo-nazi-suspect-tied-to-arlington-charged-with-gun-crime/.

In January 2018, Cole helped organize Atomwaffen Division’s three-day Hate Camp, called “Death Valley Hate Camp,” in Nevada. At least 10 members from different states attended. According to reports, Cole told attendees to “Bring your uniform, rifle/sidearm, and whatever camping gear you need.”A.C. Thompson, Ali Winston, and Jake Hanrahan, “Inside Atomwaffen As It Celebrates a Member for Allegedly Killing a Gay Jewish College Student,” ProPublica, February 23, 2018, https://www.propublica.org/article/atomwaffen-division-inside-white-hate-group.

At the end of 2018, Cole embarked on a 25-day trip throughout Eastern Europe, where he claimed to see historical sites. Upon his arrival to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, federal officials questioned him and searched his luggage, finding the trefoil flag of a neo-Nazi hate group and photos of Atomwaffen Division members performing the Nazi salute in front of Auschwitz concentration camp. Despite Cole identifying himself as a member of Atomwaffen Division, authorities failed to charge him that day.Mike Baker, “Police Seize Guns From Man Thought to Be Neo-Nazi Leader,” New York Times, October 17, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/17/us/atomwaffen-kaleb-cole.html.

Under the red-flag law, Seattle authorities filed a petition to seize a cache of weapons from Cole on September 26, 2019. The red-flag law allows law enforcement or civilians to get a court order to confiscate weapons when there is evidence that people are at high risk of harming themselves or others. Cole did not show up for the subsequent hearing.Mike Baker, “Police Seize Guns From Man Thought to Be Neo-Nazi Leader,” New York Times, October 17, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/17/us/atomwaffen-kaleb-cole.html. On December 16, 2019, King County prosecutors charged Cole with unlawful possession of a firearm. A warrant was issued for his address, but the warrant was nonextraditable, meaning Cole could only be arrested in Washington. However, Cole’s whereabouts were unknown at the time.Asia Fields, “Neo-Nazi suspect, tied to Arlington, charged with gun crime,” Seattle Times, December 18, 2019, https://www.heraldnet.com/news/neo-nazi-suspect-tied-to-arlington-charged-with-gun-crime/.

Cole and Cameron Shea, an alleged high-ranking recruiter for Atomwaffen Division’s Washington chapter, were the primary organizers of an operation they called Erste Saule. Translated to “first pillar” in German, Shea described the operation as a way to target “journalists houses and media buildings to send a clear message.”Mike Baker, Adam Goldman and Neil MacFarquhar, “White Supremacists Targeted Journalists and a Trump Official, F.B.I. Says,” New York Times, February 26, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/26/us/atomwaffen-division-arrests.html. Primarily seeking to target black or Jewish journalists, Shea and Cole sought to make their victims feel “terrorized.” According to the charges, Cole suggested buying rag dolls and sticking knives through their heads and leaving them at the locations of their targets.Mike Carter, “FBI arrests ‘violent extremists’ after threatening posters sent to minorities, journalist,” Seattle Times, February 26, 2020, https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/nation/fbi-arrests-violent-extremists-after-threatening-posters-sent-to-minorities/article_8ce505b3-a230-588c-be0c-c5ef1a543723.html.

In carrying out Operation Erste Saule, which is expected to have been initiated on or around January 25, 2020, Cole and Shea created a variety of posters that included offensive imagery and threatening language that was to be delivered or mailed to their targets. Imagery included Nazi symbols and masked figures with guns and Molotov cocktails. Targets included a broadcast journalist in Seattle and two people associated with the Anti-Defamation League, an anti-hate organization with a mission to protect the Jewish community. The targets were chosen in retaliation for reporting and exposing information on Atomwaffen Division.Mike Baker, “Police Seize Guns From Man Thought to Be Neo-Nazi Leader,” New York Times, October 17, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/17/us/atomwaffen-kaleb-cole.html.

On February 26, 2020, federal authorities arrested Cole and three other members of Atomwaffen Division. Each were charged with a single count of conspiracy to mail threatening communications and commit cyberstalking, an offense that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Cole was arrested in Montgomery, Texas, but is to be tried in Seattle.Mike Carter, “FBI arrests ‘violent extremists’ after threatening posters sent to minorities, journalist,” Seattle Times, February 26, 2020, https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/nation/fbi-arrests-violent-extremists-after-threatening-posters-sent-to-minorities/article_8ce505b3-a230-588c-be0c-c5ef1a543723.html. In April 2021, Cole pleaded not guilty to the charges.“Neo-Nazi pleads guilty in journalist threat case,” Associated Press, April 7, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/conspiracy-journalists-seattle-1e5606dab4b7be262c491c50272576a7. He was convicted on January 11, 2022, of one count of interfering with a federally protected activity because of religion, three counts of mailing threatening communications, and one count of conspiring with other AWD members to commit three offenses against the United States—interference with federally protected activities because of religion, mailing threatening communications, and cyberstalking. Cole was sentenced to seven years in prison.“Leader of Neo-Nazi Group Sentenced for Plot to Target Journalists and Advocates,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 11, 2022, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/leader-neo-nazi-group-sentenced-plot-target-journalists-and-advocates.

John Cameron Denton is an alleged member of the Atomwaffen Division, a neo-Nazi group that grew out of a white supremacist forum called Iron March in 2016.“Atomwaffen Division (AWD),” Anti-Defamation League, https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounders/atomwaffen-division-awd. Denton was arrested on February 26, 2020, on charges related to his alleged role in multiple swatting conspiracies in Virginia.Andres Triay, Clare Hymes And Stefan Becket, “Feds arrest alleged neo-Nazi for ‘swatting’ scheme that targeted Cabinet member,” CBS News, February 26, 2020, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-cameron-denton-alleged-neo-nazi-arrested-swatting-scheme-cabinet-member/; “Former Atomwaffen Division Leader Arrested for Swatting Conspiracy,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 26, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/former-atomwaffen-division-leader-arrested-swatting-conspiracy. After pleading guilty, Denton was sentenced in May 2021 to more than three years in prison.“Former Atomwaffen Division Leader Sentenced for Swatting Conspiracy,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 4, 2021, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/former-atomwaffen-division-leader-sentenced-swatting-conspiracy.

According to the Department of Justice, Denton was the former leader of Atomwaffen Division’s chapter in Texas.“Former Atomwaffen Division Leader Arrested for Swatting Conspiracy,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 26, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/former-atomwaffen-division-leader-arrested-swatting-conspiracy; Andres Triay, Clare Hymes And Stefan Becket, “Feds arrest alleged neo-Nazi for ‘swatting’ scheme that targeted Cabinet member,” CBS News, February 26, 2020, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-cameron-denton-alleged-neo-nazi-arrested-swatting-scheme-cabinet-member/. Atomwaffen Division describes itself as a revolutionary socialist organization centered on political activism seeking to put an end to the “cultural and racial displacement of the white race.”“Atomwaffen Division (AWD),” Anti-Defamation League, https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounders/atomwaffen-division-awd. Atomwaffen is inspired by the book Siege, written by American neo-Nazi James Mason. In the book, Mason calls for the creation of autonomous terror cells to bring about a race war and the downfall of the U.S. government.Ben Makuch, “Audio Recording Claims Neo-Nazi Terror Group Is Disbanding,” Vice, March 14, 2020, https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/qjdnam/audio-recording-claims-neo-nazi-terror-group-is-disbanding. Denton has claimed to own the distribution rights to Siege and Mason’s other writings.Alexander Epp and Roman Höfner, “The Hate Network,” Der Spiegel, August 25, 2018, http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/index-2018-35.html.

Along with other members of Atomwaffen, Denton is allegedly responsible for swatting calls to over 134 different law enforcement agencies. “Swatting” is a harassment tactic that involves misleading dispatchers with information on an imminent threat in a specific location, leading authorities to respond in full force, including a SWAT team response.Mike Baker, Adam Goldman and Neil MacFarquhar, “White Supremacists Targeted Journalists and a Trump Official, F.B.I. Says,” February 26, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/26/us/atomwaffen-division-arrests.html; Rachel Weiner, “DOJ says neo-Nazi group used ‘swatting’ to target officials, journalists, church,” Washington Post, January 10, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/doj-says-neo-nazi-group-used-swatting-to-target-officials-journalists-church/2020/01/10/e9692346-33b5-11ea-91fd-82d4e04a3fac_story.html. Investigators claim that the swatting ring used the dark web as well as masking technology to make their IP addresses and their phone numbers undetectable.Neil Vigdor, “Man Accused of Making ‘Swatting’ Threats With White Supremacists,” New York Times, January 15, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/15/us/black-church-bomb-threats-virginia.html.

According to court documents, Denton allegedly participated in conducting three swatting calls in Virginia. His targets included Kirstjen Nielsen, then the secretary of homeland security on January 27, 2019, Old Dominion University on November 29, 2018, and Alfred Street Baptist Church on November 3, 2018.“Former Atomwaffen Division Leader Arrested for Swatting Conspiracy,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 26, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/former-atomwaffen-division-leader-arrested-swatting-conspiracy. In the instance targeting Nielsen, the anonymous caller claimed to have killed an ex-girlfriend and had taken her children hostage. In the following two swatting calls, the anonymous callers claimed to have placed pipe bombs within the facilities and threatened to shoot anyone inside.Neil Vigdor, “Man Accused of Making ‘Swatting’ Threats With White Supremacists,” New York Times, January 15, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/15/us/black-church-bomb-threats-virginia.html. The F.B.I. claims that members of the swatting ring used racial slurs and anti-Semitic language when describing their targets.Neil Vigdor, “Man Accused of Making ‘Swatting’ Threats With White Supremacists,” New York Times, January 15, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/15/us/black-church-bomb-threats-virginia.html.

Denton also targeted the New York City office of ProPublica, an online investigative news site, and an investigative journalist at ProPublica because he sought to retaliate against the news source for revealing his identity and his connection to Atomwaffen.Rebecca Davis O’Brien, “Neo-Nazis Are Charged With Threats Against Jews, Minorities, Journalists,” Wall Street Journal, February 26, 2020, https://www.wsj.com/articles/neo-nazis-are-charged-with-threats-against-jews-minorities-journalists-11582761749.

According to reports, Denton unknowingly met with an undercover F.B.I. agent to describe Atomwaffen’s swatting efforts. Denton claimed if he were “raided” for swatting ProPublica, then it would be good for Atomwaffen Division because the swatting would be seen as a top-tier crime.“Former Atomwaffen Division Leader Arrested for Swatting Conspiracy,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 26, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/former-atomwaffen-division-leader-arrested-swatting-conspiracy.

On February 26, 2020, federal authorities arrested Denton in Montgomery, Texas, on charges of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, interstate threats to injure. Denton made an initial court appearance the same day in Houston.“Two men arrested in Montgomery County linked to hate group with history of violence,” KHOU 11, February 26, 2020, https://www.khou.com/article/news/crime/hate-group-based-in-montgomery-county-has-history-of-violence/285-d08cc091-c237-4df3-9a43-5df9fbad91c1; “Former Atomwaffen Division Leader Arrested for Swatting Conspiracy,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 26, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/former-atomwaffen-division-leader-arrested-swatting-conspiracy. Four other Atomwaffen members were also arrested for sending anti-Semitic and racist threats to journalists.Tess Owen, “The FBI Just Arrested a Bunch of Neo-Nazi Atomwaffen Members,” Vice, February 26, 2020, https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/bvgy9a/the-fbi-just-arrested-a-bunch-of-neo-nazi-atomwaffen-members. On March 9, 2020, an alleged audio recording by Mason announced Atomwaffen would immediately disband due to increasing pressure from authorities.Ben Makuch, “Audio Recording Claims Neo-Nazi Terror Group Is Disbanding,” Vice, March 14, 2020, https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/qjdnam/audio-recording-claims-neo-nazi-terror-group-is-disbanding. On July 25, 2020, a group of former AWD leaders announced the reorganization of AWD into the National Socialist Order (NSO). The NSO leaders further claimed they had built the NSO with a new leadership dedicated to creating an “Aryan, National Socialist world by any means necessary.” According to NSO’s official program, NSO completely rejects the current social-political world order, which the group denounced as a “left-wing framework cultivated by the Jew.” The group further called for all members to be armed and “ready at a moment’s notice” as its priority is to “seize territorial power by any means necessary.”“National Socialist Order Announcement!,” American Futurist, July 25, 2020.

On July 4, 2020, Denton pleaded guilty in a Virginia federal court on a charge of “conspiracy to make interstate threats” for his role in “swatting” multiple targets. He admitted that his actions were “motivated by racial animus” and that he had “expressed white supremacist views.” As part of a plea bargain, Denton will have to pay restitution to police departments in New York and Richmond, California.Rachel Weiner, “Member of Neo-Nazi Group Pleads Guilty to ‘Swatting’ Conspiracy Against Journalists, Minorities,” Washington Post, July 14, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/member-of-neo-nazi-group-pleads-guilty-to-swatting-conspiracy-of-journalists-minorities/2020/07/14/695f0e52-c5d4-11ea-8ffe-372be8d82298_story.html.

On May 4, 2021, Denton was sentenced by a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, to 41 months in prison for harassing journalists who reported on his activities.Rachel Weiner, “Former leader of neo-Nazi Atomwaffen group sentenced for swatting,” Washington Post, May 4, 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/atomwaffen-leader-prison-sentence/2021/05/04/95544e16-a14b-11eb-a7ee-949c574a09ac_story.html?utm_source=iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2300437_.

Dylann Roof is an American white supremacist who carried out the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church shooting on June 17, 2015. The attack killed nine.Alan Blinder and Kevin Sack, “Dylann Roof Found Guilty in Charleston Church Massacre,” New York Times, December 15, 2016, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/15/us/dylann-roof-trial.html. Roof claimed to FBI agents that the massacre was an attempt to bring back segregation and incite a race war. He is the first federal hate crime defendant to be sentenced to death and is currently awaiting execution at the maximum-security Terre Haute Federal Prison in Indiana while his attorneys appeal for a new trial.Avalon Zoppo, “Charleston Shooter Dylann Roof Moved to Death Row in Terre Haute Federal Prison,” NBC News, April 22, 2017, https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/charleston-shooter-dylann-roof-moved-death-row-terre-haute-federal-n749671; Meg Kinnard, “Dylann Roof takes church shooting appeal to US Supreme Court,” Associated Press, March 2, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-religion-shootings-south-carolina-charleston-7b89694504f9fc6ab9521592ea7c4ad6.

According to Roof, he had an epiphany and became radicalized after learning about the killing of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teenager shot by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman in 2012.Keith O'Shea, Darran Simon and Holly Yan, “Dylann Roof's racist rants read in court,” CNN, December 14, 2016, https://www.cnn.com/2016/12/13/us/dylann-roof-murder-trial/index.html. Although Roof did not belong to any hate groups, Roof was an active consumer of racist material online and had a website called “The Last Rhodesian.” The site was filled with stereotypes and vitriolic sentiments against black, Jewish, and Hispanic people.Mark Berman, “Dylann Roof, accused Charleston church gunman, indicted on federal hate crime charges,” Washington Post, July 22, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/07/22/dylann-roof-accused-charleston-church-gunman-has-been-indicted-on-federal-hate-crime-charges/. Photos on the site showcased Roof holding a .45-caliber Glock pistol and a Confederate flag. Other photos featured Roof wearing a jacket with flags of apartheid-era South Africa.Ray Sanchez and Ed Payne, “Charleston church shooting: Who is Dylann Roof?,” CNN, December 16, 2015, https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/19/us/charleston-church-shooting-suspect/index.html. Another image showed Roof standing on and burning an American flag.Ray Sanchez and Ed Payne, “Charleston church shooting: Who is Dylann Roof?,” CNN, December 16, 2015, https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/19/us/charleston-church-shooting-suspect/index.html.

Roof’s former brushes with the law included two arrests in February and April of 2015. In the first incident, he was charged with misdemeanor drug possession for having suboxone, a Schedule III substance, on his person, and in the other incident, he was arrested on a trespassing charge. Both incidents took place at Columbiana Mall in Columbia, South Carolina.Eugene Volokh, “Dylann Roof apparently had not been arrested for a felony a month before he went through a gun purchase background check,” Washington Post, July 11, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/07/11/dylann-roof-apparently-had-not-been-arrested-for-a-felony-a-month-before-he-went-through-a-gun-purchase-background-check/.; Krishnadev Calamur, “What We Know So Far About Church Shooting Suspect Dylann Roof,” NPR, June 18, 2015, https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/06/18/415506320/what-we-know-so-far-about-accused-church-gunman-dylann-roof.; Krishnadev Calamur, “What We Know So Far About Church Shooting Suspect Dylann Roof,” NPR, June 18, 2015, https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/06/18/415506320/what-we-know-so-far-about-accused-church-gunman-dylann-roof.

On June 17, 2015, Roof opened fire during a bible study at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, the South’s oldest black church.“Dylann Roof: white supremacist appeals death penalty on mental health grounds,” Guardian, January 28, 2020, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jan/28/dylann-roof-charleston-church-shooting-appeal. The attack killed nine people and injured one other. Roof immediately fled the scene, setting off an overnight manhunt.Nikita Stewart and Richard Pérez-Peña, “In Charleston, Raw Emotion at Hearing for Suspect in Church Shooting,” New York Times, June 19, 2015, https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/20/us/charleston-shooting-dylann-storm-roof.html. The next day, a florist in North Carolina caught sight of Roof and tipped local police to his location. Roof was apprehended in Shelby, 200 miles away from the crime scene. He was then brought back to South Carolina to face his charges.“The Shootings in a Charleston Church,” New York Times, June 18, 2015, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/06/18/us/charleston-church-shooting-maps-and-suspect.html.

Roof confessed to investigators that his actions were premeditated and that he had scouted and researched churches in cities that would garner the most attention. He settled on Charleston because, according to his online manifesto which he published on his website 18 months before the massacre, that it is the “most historic city in my state.”Alan Blinder and Kevin Sack, “Dylann Roof Found Guilty in Charleston Church Massacre,” New York Times, December 15, 2016, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/15/us/dylann-roof-trial.html.

Roof’s trial began on June 19, 2015 in South Carolina. He was charged on nine counts including murder and criminal possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.Nikita Stewart and Richard Pérez-Peña, “In Charleston, Raw Emotion at Hearing for Suspect in Church Shooting,” New York Times, June 19, 2015, https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/20/us/charleston-shooting-dylann-storm-roof.html. On July 22, 2015, a federal grand jury in South Carolina indicted Roof on 33 counts, including federal hate and firearm charges.Catherine E. Shoichet and Evan Perez, “Dylann Roof faces hate crime charges in Charleston shooting,” CNN, July 22, 2015, https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/22/us/charleston-shooting-hate-crime-charges/index.html. Throughout his trial, Roof never showed remorse for his actions, saying, “I felt like I had to do it, and I still do feel like I had to do it.”Khushbu Shah and Eliott C. McLaughlin, “Victim's dad warns Dylann Roof: 'Your creator ... he's coming for you',” CNN, January 11, 2017, https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/11/us/dylann-roof-sentencing/index.html.

On January 10, 2017, a federal jury in Charleston sentenced Roof to death on 18 capital counts, including nine counts of use of a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to his hate crimes and obstruction of religious exercise.Jon Schuppe and Jamie Morrison, “Dylann Roof Sentenced to Death for Charleston Church Massacre,” NBC News, January 10, 2017, https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/dylann-roof-sentenced-death-charleston-church-massacre-n705376.; “Federal Jury Sentences Dylann Storm Roof to Death,” United States Department of Justice, January 10, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/federal-jury-sentences-dylann-storm-roof-death. On April 22, 2017, Roof was transferred to death row at Terre Haute Federal Prison in Indiana. The facility houses male inmates who are awaiting execution and are put to death by lethal injection.Avalon Zoppo, “Charleston Shooter Dylann Roof Moved to Death Row in Terre Haute Federal Prison,” NBC News, April 22, 2017, https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/charleston-shooter-dylann-roof-moved-death-row-terre-haute-federal-n749671.

On January 29, 2020, Roof appealed his federal convictions and death sentence, claiming he was mentally ill when he represented himself in former trials. Roof’s lawyers claimed that U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel should not have allowed Roof to represent himself because he had been diagnosed with “schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, autism, anxiety, and depression” and was mentally unfit to defend himself. Despite his lawyers’ claims, a federal judge deemed Roof mentally competent enough for the trial to move forward.Denise Lavoie, “White Supremacist Dylann Roof Appeals Death Penalty in South Carolina Church Massacre,” January 29, 2020, Time, https://time.com/5773439/dylan-roof-appeals-death-penalty/.; Katie Shepherd, “Dylann Roof’s lawyers appeal death sentence for Charleston church massacre, arguing the trial was ‘tainted’ by mental health issues,” Washington Post, January 29, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/01/29/roof-charleston-appeal/.

Roof’s attorneys have continued to file appeals and request a new trial, arguing Roof should not have been allowed to represent himself during the initial trial. On May 23, 2021, Roof appealed his case before the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Richmond, Virginia. As the 4th Circuit includes South Carolina, all the judges from the 4th Circuit recused themselves from the case and a three-judge panel from other appellate circuits heard the case instead.Meg Kinnard, “Charleston church shooter making appellate arguments,” Associated press, May 23, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/sc-state-wire-donald-trump-charleston-religion-shootings-d59bf47614071023aec651017cae557e; Meg Kinnard, “Dylann Roof asks judges to reconsider recusal from his case,” Associated Press, October 4, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/dylann-roof-south-carolina-courts-religion-3ced0fe5c2482dbb12d0aeea121d2fcd. Roof’s attorney argued he should have been ruled incompetent to stand trial. On August 25, 2021, the 4th Circuit upheld Roof’s conviction and death sentence. According to the ruling, “Dylann Roof murdered African Americans at their church, during their Bible-study and worship. They had welcomed him. He slaughtered them. He did so with the express intent of terrorizing not just his immediate victims at the historically important Mother Emanuel Church, but as many similar people as would hear of the mass murder.”Meg Kinnard and Denise Lavoie, “Court upholds death sentence for church shooter Dylann Roof,” Associated Press, August 25, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/religion-389bcc56019f268cb1056e37a517bd6c. Roof’s attorneys continued their appeal process on September 27, 2021, when they requested the 4th Circuit grant a new hearing, as well as designate a court of substitute judges from other circuits to consider the case. The court rejected the request, writing it “declines to take the unprecedented step” of seeking a full substitute court to consider Roof’s request for a new appellate hearing.Meg Kinnard, “Court denies Dylann Roof’s request for new appellate hearing,” Associated Press, September 28, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/religion-courts-south-carolina-dylann-roof-3342281e341684a45ea584209329d540; Meg Kinnard, “Dylann Roof asks judges to reconsider recusal from his case,” Associated Press, October 4, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/dylann-roof-south-carolina-courts-religion-3ced0fe5c2482dbb12d0aeea121d2fcd.  

Roof’s attorneys subsequently requested the judges who had recused themselves from the case reinstate themselves to hear Roof’s appeal.Meg Kinnard, “Court denies Dylann Roof’s request for new appellate hearing,” Associated Press, September 28, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/religion-courts-south-carolina-dylann-roof-3342281e341684a45ea584209329d540; Meg Kinnard, “Dylann Roof asks judges to reconsider recusal from his case,” Associated Press, October 4, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/dylann-roof-south-carolina-courts-religion-3ced0fe5c2482dbb12d0aeea121d2fcd. The 4th Circuit rejected the request on October 12, 2021.Meg Kinnard, “Dylann Roof’s request to reconsider recusal is denied,” Associated Press, October 13, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/dylann-roof-charleston-south-carolina-hate-crimes-religion-729e72e6ea83ebf6134f7f95bcd6a6f2. In late February 2022, Roof’s attorneys requested the U.S. Supreme Court rule on disagreements over mental illness-related evidence between capital defendants and their attorneys. Roof’s attorneys argued Roof’s decision to fire his legal team and represent himself during the sentencing phase of his trial prevented the introduction of key evidence that would have portrayed him as mentally ill. According to Roof’s attorneys, had he been tried in another jurisdiction, he would “not have been forced to self-represent at his capital trial to block his own attorneys from presenting evidence he abhorred.”Meg Kinnard, “Dylann Roof takes church shooting appeal to US Supreme Court,” Associated Press, March 2, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-religion-shootings-south-carolina-charleston-7b89694504f9fc6ab9521592ea7c4ad6.

On October 28, 2021, the Justice Department reached an $88 million settlement with the families of nine of Roof’s victims over a faulty background check that allowed Roof to purchase a gun after his February 2015 arrest. Settlements for the families of those killed ranged from $6 million to $7.5 million per claimant, while survivors’ settlements were $5 million per claimant. One of the attorneys involved in the negotiations told the Associated Press the 88 number is intentional because the association of the number with the white supremacist movement as 88 is representative of the letters HH, or Heil Hitler.Meg Kinnard, “US to pay $88M to families, victims of SC church massacre,” Associated Press, October 28, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/religion-shootings-south-carolina-columbia-massacres-bf74d1568bec6199712b3423f71fda9a.

Zachary Clark, a 41-year-old man from Brooklyn, New York, allegedly encouraged violence in the name of ISIS and distributed instruction manuals on bomb-making and terrorist operations.Asher Stockler, “Brooklyn Man Arrested for Allegedly Encouraging ISIS Attack, Sharing Bomb-Making Instructions,” Newsweek, November 29, 2019, https://www.newsweek.com/zachary-clark-isis-terrorism-bombs-1474833. Between March and November 2019, he used mobile applications to disseminate pro-ISIS propaganda and encourage attacks in the United States.United States of America v. Zachary Clark, Criminal Complaint, (S.D.N.Y. 2019), 4, https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1221386/download. According to the criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of New York, Clark pledged allegiance to the terror group twice in 2019.“Brooklyn Man Accused of Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS, Encouraging Attacks in NYC,” NBC New York, November 27, 2019,  https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/brooklyn-man-accused-of-attempting-to-provide-material-support-to-isis/2224967/. Following an FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) investigation, he was arrested in Brooklyn on November 27, 2019. Clark is charged with one count of attempting to provide material support to ISIS and one count of distributing information relating to explosives, destructive devices, and weapons of mass destruction. Each charge carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence.“Brooklyn Man Arrested for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 27, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/brooklyn-man-arrested-attempting-provide-material-support-isis. On August 10, 2020, Clark pled guilty to attempting to provide material support to ISIS. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 9, 2021. Clark faces up to 20 years in prison.“Brooklyn Man Pleads Guilty in Manhattan Federal Court to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS,” U.S. Department of Justice, August 10, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/brooklyn-man-pleads-guilty-manhattan-federal-court-attempting-provide-material-support-isis.

Clark used an encrypted messaging application, referred to only as “Application-1” in the criminal complaint, which allows users to exchange private messages in “chats” and to distribute content to followers by creating “channels.”United States of America v. Zachary Clark, Criminal Complaint, (S.D.N.Y. 2019), 5, https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1221386/download. He managed numerous ISIS-related channels, using them to post instructional manuals that detailed how to carry out various types of violent attacks, such as bombings, shootings, knife attacks, and vehicle attacks. One of the manuals that he shared provided detailed bomb-making instructions, which were originally from the al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula’s (AQAP) propaganda magazine called Inspire.United States of America v. Zachary Clark, Criminal Complaint, (S.D.N.Y. 2019), 9, https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1221386/download. One of the channels that Clark managed had a large international following and was “among the most popular and prolific distributors of ISIS propaganda, attacks training manuals, and other ISIS recruitment content” on the messaging application.United States of America v. Zachary Clark, Criminal Complaint, (S.D.N.Y. 2019), 5, https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1221386/download.

Clark also utilized “Application-1” to disseminate propaganda that glorified ISIS’s terrorist activities and encouraged supporters to launch similar attacks in the United States.United States of America v. Zachary Clark, Criminal Complaint, (S.D.N.Y. 2019), 6, https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1221386/download. Many of the graphics that Clark shared via the platform’s channels depicted New York City landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty and subway system.United States of America v. Zachary Clark, Criminal Complaint, (S.D.N.Y. 2019), 11-12, https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1221386/download. In October 2019, he admitted to one of the FBI’s confidential sources that many of the graphics he posted to the application were images he created himself.United States of America v. Zachary Clark, Criminal Complaint, (S.D.N.Y. 2019), 24, https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1221386/download.

Between March and July 2019, Clark communicated with an FBI confidential source who was posing as an ISIS member. Clark discussed ways to support ISIS, stating that he “want[ed] to do media” for the terror group and expressed a desire to conduct a terrorist attack on U.S. soil. According to the criminal complaint, he expressed a willingness to die as a martyr in an attack, but said he would need financial assistance and operational support.United States of America v. Zachary Clark, Criminal Complaint, (S.D.N.Y. 2019), 7, https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1221386/download.

In July 2019, Clark communicated with another confidential source, who posed as an ISIS member based in the Middle East. The two corresponded using “Application-1” and a second encrypted application referred to as “Application-2” in the criminal complaint.United States of America v. Zachary Clark, Criminal Complaint, (S.D.N.Y. 2019), 5, https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1221386/download. On July 19, Clark asked the source if he had any ISIS contacts who would help in supporting an ISIS affiliate on the East Coast of the United States. The following day, he sent a video to the source showing his pledge of allegiance to ISIS in Arabic.United States of America v. Zachary Clark, Criminal Complaint, (S.D.N.Y. 2019), 6, https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1221386/download.

Following the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi on October 26, 2019, Clark posted a message on “Application-1” pledging allegiance to the newly appointed ISIS leader, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi, the nom de guerre of Mohammed Abdul Rahman al-Mawli al-Salbi.United States of America v. Zachary Clark, Criminal Complaint, (S.D.N.Y. 2019), 4 and 25, https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1221386/download.

On November 27, 2019, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) arrested Clark in Brooklyn, New York. He is charged with one count of attempting to provide material support to ISIS and one count of distributing information relating to explosives, destructive devices, and weapons of mass destruction. Each charge carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence.“Brooklyn Man Arrested for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 27, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/brooklyn-man-arrested-attempting-provide-material-support-isis.

Salman Rashid is a Florida resident and an alleged ISIS supporter who is currently facing federal charges of solicitation to commit a crime of violence. Rashid had asked a confidential F.B.I. source to contact members of ISIS to carry out attacks on two deans at Miami Dade College and Broward College.Mihir Zaveri, “Florida Man Sought ISIS Attack on Deans at 2 Colleges, Prosecutors Say,” New York Times, November 26, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/26/us/florida-college-isis-attack.html?searchResultPosition=7. If convicted, Rashid faces up to 20 years in prison.

Rashid first caught the authorities’ attention in April 2018 after he posted messages on Facebook in favor of the “violent overthrow of democracy and the establishment of Islamic law,” prosecutors said. A confidential source then contacted Rashid through Facebook messenger “in an effort to build rapport,” the affidavit says.“South Florida Resident Arrested for Soliciting Another to Commit a Violent Crime Against College Deans,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 25, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/south-florida-resident-arrested-soliciting-another-commit-violent-crime-against-college-deans.

In November 2018, a female student at Miami Dade College, where Rashid was a student, filed a complaint with the authorities after receiving threatening messages from Rashid. Rashid had “developed unrequited romantic feelings” for the unnamed female student. Federal investigators wrote they later found evidence on Rashid’s computer that he had searched for “how to stalk someone’s house” and confided in one of the online sources he believed to be in the Islamic State that he knew where the woman lived and worked.Kim Bellware, “A man plotted an ISIS attack in revenge for getting kicked out of college in Florida, authorities say,” Washington Post, November 27, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/11/26/man-plotted-an-isis-attack-revenge-getting-kicked-out-college-authorities-say/. In December 2018, Rashid was suspended by Miami Dade College, according to the affidavit. Rashid was then “expelled from Broward College for failing to disclose the disciplinary matter” at Miami Dade College.Mihir Zaveri, “Florida Man Sought ISIS Attack on Deans at 2 Colleges, Prosecutors Say,” New York Times, November 26, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/26/us/florida-college-isis-attack.html?searchResultPosition=7.

In May 2019, Rashid solicited a confidential human source to contact members of ISIS and instruct those ISIS members to conduct a terrorist attack on Rashid’s behalf. Rashid sought to organize an attack in response to “perceived attacks on Muslims” in his community, although he did not have a clear target at the time. Throughout the summer and fall of 2019, Rashid continued to instruct the confidential source regarding the requested attack, indicating a religious building or nightclub would be suitable and offering apparent guidelines: target “sinners,” make the explosions big to “strike fear,” and don’t hurt children.Kim Bellware, “A man plotted an ISIS attack in revenge for getting kicked out of college in Florida, authorities say,” Washington Post, November 27, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/11/26/man-plotted-an-isis-attack-revenge-getting-kicked-out-college-authorities-say/. Based on Rashid’s request, the FBI introduced an additional confidential human source, who held him/herself out to be a member of ISIS willing to conduct an attack.“South Florida Resident Arrested for Soliciting Another to Commit a Violent Crime Against College Deans,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 25, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/south-florida-resident-arrested-soliciting-another-commit-violent-crime-against-college-deans.

In November 2019, Rashid said he wanted that source to target the deans at Miami Dade College and Broward College, prosecutors said. Mr. Rashid “asked that explosive devices placed by the confidential human source to carry out the attack against the two individuals be as big as possible,” prosecutors said. Rashid was arrested in south Florida by federal authorities on November 25, 2019. His arraignment is scheduled for December 9, 2019.“South Florida Resident Arrested for Soliciting Another to Commit a Violent Crime Against College Deans,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 25, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/south-florida-resident-arrested-soliciting-another-commit-violent-crime-against-college-deans.

Kim Anh Vo is a Georgia resident and a recruiter for ISIS who is currently facing federal charges of conspiring to provide material support to ISIS.“Georgia Woman Arrested for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISIS,” U.S. Department of Justice, March 12, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/georgia-woman-arrested-conspiring-provide-material-support-isis. Vo was arrested by federal authorities on March 12, 2019, in Hephzibah, Georgia and on December 10, 2019, Vo pleaded guilty to the charges in a New York federal court. She faced up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines. Vo was granted bail in April 2020.Jeremy Redmon, “Georgia woman pleads guilty to conspiring to support ISIS,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution, December 10, 2019, https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/georgia-woman-pleads-guilty-conspiring-support-isis/0xTkY19ir8rnxWPwLjr6LP/. On February 23, 2023, Vo was sentenced by a New York federal court.Matthew Russel Lee, “After Woman Charged With Threats to NYC NGO Gets Time Served Restitution Ridiculed,” Inner City Press, March 2, 2023, https://www.innercitypress.com/sdny33buchwaldvoicp030223.html.

In April 2016, Vo joined the United Cyber Caliphate (UCC), an online group that pledged allegiance to ISIS and committed to carrying out online attacks and cyber intrusions against Americans. Between April 2016 and May 2017, Vo principally worked on behalf of the UCC to recruit others to join the group while also assisting with the “Kalachnikv E-Security Team,” a UCC-affiliated hacking collective.Audrey Alexander, “Doxing and Defacements: Examining the Islamic State’s Hacking Capabilities,” Combating Terrorism Center at Westpoint, April 2019, https://ctc.usma.edu/doxing-defacements-examining-islamic-states-hacking-capabilities/. Between January and February 2017, Vo recruited other individuals—including a minor residing in Norway—to create online content in support of ISIS, including a video threating a non-profit organization based in New York City. The video contained messages such as, “You messed with the Islamic State, SO EXPECT US SOON,” followed by a scene displaying a photograph of the organization’s chief executive officer and former U.S. ambassador, along with the words:  “[CEO], we will get you.”“Georgia Woman Arrested for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISIS,” U.S. Department of Justice, March 12, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/georgia-woman-arrested-conspiring-provide-material-support-isis.

In April 2017, Vo allegedly coordinated the publication of a kill list with UCC members in several countries, including Norway, the Netherlands, and Iraq. UCC hacktivists collected the personally identifiable information of over 8,000 individuals during a website intrusion into a U.S.-based business.Audrey Alexander, “Doxing and Defacements: Examining the Islamic State’s Hacking Capabilities,” Combating Terrorism Center at Westpoint, April 2019, https://ctc.usma.edu/doxing-defacements-examining-islamic-states-hacking-capabilities/.

According to court documents, Vo apparently believed the first leader of the United Cyber Caliphate was living in Iraq. After that person “ultimately disappeared,” she was nominated by some members to lead the group but declined.Sasha Ingber, “Georgia Woman Arrested And Accused Of Aiding ISIS Cyber Group That Made 'Kill Lists',” NPR, March 12, 2019, https://www.npr.org/2019/03/12/702698744/georgia-woman-arrested-and-accused-of-aiding-isis-cyber-group-that-made-kill-lis. Vo was eventually compelled to stop her online activities. Court documents indicated Vo herself approached federal authorities three times between July 2017 and August 2018 and offered to tell them about her time behind the keyboard for ISIS.“Kim Anh Vo Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, March 12, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1143071/download. Why she contacted the FBI and the actions the FBI took after Vo’s admissions were not explained in the complaint.“Georgia Woman Arrested for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISIS,” U.S. Department of Justice, March 12, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/georgia-woman-arrested-conspiring-provide-material-support-isis.; Sasha Ingber, “Georgia Woman Arrested And Accused Of Aiding ISIS Cyber Group That Made 'Kill Lists',” NPR, March 12, 2019, https://www.npr.org/2019/03/12/702698744/georgia-woman-arrested-and-accused-of-aiding-isis-cyber-group-that-made-kill-lis.

According to her parents she never expressed an interest in Islam. Vo had wanted to work in cyber security for the FBI, according to her father.Sandy Hodson, “Hephzibah woman pleads guilty in terrorist conspiracy,” August Chronicle, July 10, 2019, https://www.augustachronicle.com/news/20190710/hephzibah-woman-pleads-guilty-in-terrorist-conspiracy.

In April 2020, Vo was granted bail.“Bail granted to local woman accused of helping terrorists,” WRDW, April 1, 2020, https://www.wrdw.com/content/news/Bail-granted-to-local-woman-accused-of-assisting-terrorists-569281941.html. On February 23, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York sentenced Vo on charges of conspiring to provide material support to ISIS.Matthew Russel Lee, “After Woman Charged With Threats to NYC NGO Gets Time Served Restitution Ridiculed,” Inner City Press, March 2, 2023, https://www.innercitypress.com/sdny33buchwaldvoicp030223.html.

Thomas Osadzinski of Chicago, Illinois, is accused of creating a first-of-its-kind computer code to copy, save, and distribute ISIS content online to preserve it in case of deletion by the platform’s administrators. Osadzinski is a student at DePaul University in Chicago, where he studies computer science and software development.Tom Cleary, “Thomas Osadzinski: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know,” Heavy, November 20, 2019, https://heavy.com/news/2019/11/thomas-osadzinski/. The FBI arrested him on November 18, 2019. He faces up to 20 years in prison for attempting to provide material support to ISIS.U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of Illinois, “Chicago Man Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/chicago-man-charged-attempting-provide-material-support-isis.

According to the criminal complaint against him, Osadzinski designed a computer script that directed bots—customizable third-party applications—on a social media platform to copy and save ISIS propaganda in order to better disseminate that material to ISIS supporters.U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download. The complaint referred to the platform in question only as “Social Media Platform 1.” Based on the description of the platform in the complaint, analysts believe that the encrypted chat program is likely Telegram.Tom Cleary, “Thomas Osadzinski: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know,” Heavy, November 20, 2019, https://heavy.com/news/2019/11/thomas-osadzinski/; Seamus Hughes, Twitter post, November 19, 2019, 4:29 p.m., https://twitter.com/SeamusHughes/status/1196903408902516737. Throughout 2019, Osadzinski discussed and shared his program with undercover FBI agents whom he believed to be ISIS supporters.U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download.

Osadzinski called his plan “Operation: Heralds of the Internet” in a document he assembled outlining his goals. According to that document, the operation was intended to bring “people to Islam and teach everyone the transgressions of the Crusaders and how the Islamic State’s response to transgressions self-defense.”U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download. According to the document, Osadzinski sought to specifically include content from ISIS propaganda outlets “al-Furqan,” “al-I’tisam,” “Office of Media Productions for the Wilayat of The Islamic State,” “al-HimmahOffice,” and “Nasheed channels.”U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download.

The FBI began monitoring Osadzinski in 2018 after he entered a specific chat titled “Weapons” on the undisclosed social media platform on June 6. He shared an image about ingredients for the explosive TATP and then discussed with others in the chat how to acquire TATP. Osadzinski then engaged with an undercover FBI agent who was also in the chat. Osadzinski told the agent that the “mukharabat”—Arabic for state security—were watching him, so he had to remain quiet for the time being.U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, 11-12, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download. In February 2019, Osadzinski began translating Arabic to English for a pro-ISIS media organization on the platform that he connected with through a second undercover FBI agent. Osadzinski discussed with the agent how he was editing translations of ISIS videos. Osadzinski continued to offer his assistance to the agent, telling him that sometimes he is busy but “jihad is always more important than relaxing and games.”U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, 14-16, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download.

Osadzinski told the FBI agent in March 2019 that he was developing a computer code to help copy and save ISIS propaganda on the chat platform.U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, 19, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download. On August 16, 2019, Osadzinski sent the undercover agent the “Operation: Heralds of the Internet” document outlining his plan.U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, 11, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download. On October 8, 2019, and again on October 10, Osadzinski met in person in Chicago with an FBI confidential human source he had begun online communications with earlier that year. Osadzinski demonstrated how his software worked and discussed a new project to share ISIS videos using the computer programming language Python. Osadzinski called his project to preserve ISIS content “the highest form of jihad.”U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, 33-37, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download.

On November 2, 2019, Osadzinski pledged allegiance to ISIS’s new leader, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Qurayshi.U.S. District Court of Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, “United States of America v. Thomas Osadzinski Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, 38, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1218556/download. The FBI arrested Osadzinski on November 18, 2019, in Chicago on a charge of attempting to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization. He faces up to 20 years in prison.U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of Illinois, “Chicago Man Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 19, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/chicago-man-charged-attempting-provide-material-support-isis. At Osadzinski’s preliminary hearing on November 19, 2019, his attorney requested that he be released in order to take his final exams later that week. The magistrate judge ordered Osadzinski to be held without bail.Jason Meisner, “DePaul student wrote computer code to help spread ISIS propaganda online, feds charge,” Chicago Tribune, November 19, 2019, https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/criminal-justice/ct-chicago-college-student-terrorism-charges-20191119-ag5cmgewsfcd3fqqebrdnl3mge-story.html.