The U.S. Department of Justice charged Somali-American Yusra Ismail with one count of misusing a stolen passport on December 2, 2014. Ismail allegedly used the stolen passport to travel to Syria to join ISIS. Her last confirmed contact with her family was a call she made from the Netherlands on August 24, 2014, allegedly while en route to Syria.“Minnesota Woman Charged With Stealing Passport To Travel To Syria,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, December 2, 2014, http://www.justice.gov/usao/mn/yursaismailcomplaint.html. It is unconfirmed whether she is currently in Syria, but authorities have stated that records cannot confirm if she has returned the United States since her departure.John Hall,“ Somali-American woman, 20, 'stole friend's passport and used it to travel to Syria where she joined ISIS terrorists',” Daily Mail (London), December 2, 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2858322/Minnesota-woman-charged-stealing-passport-Syria.html.
Ismail is a 2013 graduate of Lighthouse Academy, a charter school in Minneapolis. Interviews with school officials reveal a quiet woman who was intent on memorizing the Quran.Laura Yuen, Mukhtar Ibrahim, Sasha Aslanian, “From MN suburbs, they set out to join ISIS,” MPR News, March 25, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/03/25/minnesota-teens-isis.
Joshua Ray Van Haften is U.S. citizen and would-be foreign fighter for ISIS. He was taken into custody at Chicago O’Hare airport in April 2015 on a charge of attempting to provide material support to a terrorist group. Van Haften pled guilty to charges on October 20, 2016.“Madison Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 20, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/madison-man-pleads-guilty-attempting-provide-material-support-isil.
According to the FBI’s criminal complaint, Van Haften had lived in Egypt from October 2012 to January 2014. While in Egypt, he allegedly took photographs of a military facility, which brought him to the attention of the Egyptian police. According to the FBI, Egyptian authorities returned Van Haften to the United States after learning from the U.S. embassy that Van Haften had been convicted in 1999 for sexually assaulting a child.U.S. District Court District for the Western District of Wisconsin, “United States of America v. Joshua Van Haften,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 28, 2014, 3-4, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/04/09/van_haften_complaint_signed.pdf.
In July 2014, the FBI interviewed a former associate of Van Haften’s who alleged that Van Haften had spoken of his desire to travel to Syria and join the Nusra Front. Van Haften reportedly traveled to Istanbul, Turkey, in late August 2014. After his arrival, Van Haften pledged allegiance online to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, according to authorities.“Madison Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 20, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/madison-man-pleads-guilty-attempting-provide-material-support-isil.
That September, days after Van Haften’s arrival in Istanbul, his former roommate told the FBI that Van Haften had shown signs of radicalization when he folded two $100 bills to resemble the Twin Towers and a missile. In September, the FBI confirmed that Van Haften was in Turkey and had scheduled a return flight on November 24, 2014.U.S. District Court District for the Western District of Wisconsin, “United States of America v. Joshua Van Haften,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 28, 2014, 6, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/04/09/van_haften_complaint_signed.pdf. The FBI also found pro-ISIS propaganda on Van Haften’s public Facebook page.U.S. District Court District for the Western District of Wisconsin, “United States of America v. Joshua Van Haften,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 28, 2014, 10, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/04/09/van_haften_complaint_signed.pdf.
While interviewing another former roommate that September, the FBI discovered that Van Haften had shared a video on Facebook by deceased al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula recruiter Anwar al-Awlaki.U.S. District Court District for the Western District of Wisconsin, “United States of America v. Joshua Van Haften,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 28, 2014, 6, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/04/09/van_haften_complaint_signed.pdf. In one Facebook exchange in October 2014, Van Haften wrote of his intention to fight “the Kuffar (slaves of America)” if authorities tried to arrest him.U.S. District Court District for the Western District of Wisconsin, “United States of America v. Joshua Van Haften,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 28, 2014, 14, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/04/09/van_haften_complaint_signed.pdf.
In October 2014, Turkish immigration officials arrested Van Haften and detained him until his return to the United States the following April.Myra Sanchik, “Detained in Turkey, arrested at O’Hare, Madison man accused of trying to join Islamic State,” Fox6 News, April 9, 2015, http://fox6now.com/2015/04/09/madison-man-charged-with-attempting-to-provide-material-support-to-isil/. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.“Madison Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 20, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/madison-man-pleads-guilty-attempting-provide-material-support-isil. In October 2016, he pleaded guilty in federal court to “attempting to provide material support . . . to a foreign terrorist organization,”“Madison Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 20, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/madison-man-pleads-guilty-attempting-provide-material-support-isil. and in February 2017, he was sentenced to ten years in federal prison and lifetime post-release supervision.“Wisconsin Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs, February 17, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/wisconsin-man-sentenced-10-years-prison-attempting-provide-material-support-isil. Van Haften is currently imprisoned at the United States Penitentiary in Marion, Illinois, with a tentative release date of May 18, 2023.“Joshua Van Haften” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.
Attempted foreign fighter: Taken into custody at Chicago O’Hare airport on April 8, 2015, and charged in the United States with attempting to provide “material support and resources” to a terrorist group, ISIS.
Posted al-Awlaki videos on Facebook.
Attempted foreign fighter, Wisconsin: Left the United States in August 2014 for Turkey with the intention of crossing into Iraq or Syria to join ISIS. Van Haften was arrested at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport upon his arrival there in April 2015. He pled guilty in October 2016 to attempting to provide material support to ISIS. Van Haften posted videos of AQAP propagandist Anwar al-Awlaki to Facebook.
Converted while in prison for nearly seven years for sexually assaulting a child. Haften was convicted in May 1999 on these charge at age 18. According to Van Haften’s mother, Van Haften took Islam very seriously as it had helped him deal with the frustration of registering as a sex offender. Van Haften was briefly married to a Muslim woman upon his release. He was reportedly “upset with the world” since suffering a head injury after being struck by a car while riding his bicycle at age 13, according to acquaintances.
(Estimated age at conversion: 18-26)
Traveled to Turkey in 2014 in an attempt to join ISIS in Syria. Detained by Turkish authorities and sent back to the United States, where he was charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS in April 2015. Pled guilty to the charge in October 2016.
Posted an ISIS propaganda video on his Facebook page, which showed ISIS extremists engaging in battle. Also responded to a Facebook post linking to the fourth issue of the ISIS propaganda magazine Dabiq, which includes graphic images. Also posted lecture videos from the “Hereafter Series” by now-deceased AQAP recruiter Anwar al-Awlaki on Facebook.
Nicholas Teausant is a U.S. citizen and convicted Islamic extremist. In 2014, Teausant reportedly spoke of plans to bomb the Los Angeles subway system around New Year’s.Sharon Bernstein, “Would-be California militant is schizophrenic, lawyer says,” Reuters, December 3, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/03/us-usa-security-syria-idUSKCN0JH2NB20141203. Before his arrest, Teausant actively propagated extremist and violent ideology on social media, and maintained accounts on Facebook, Tumblr, Ask.fm, Google+, and Instagram.Adam Serwer, “Accused student terrorist was a social media oversharer,” MSNBC, March 25, 2014, http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/instagram-social-media-terrorism-teausant.
A convert to Islam, Teausant attended San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California, and later dropped out of the National Guard.Veronica Rocha, “California man sentenced to 12 years for trying to join ISIS,” Los Angeles Times, June 7, 2016, http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-california-man-sentenced-terrorism-20160607-snap-story.html. In April 2013, Teausant began posting extremist content online.Sam Stanton and Denny Walsh, “Lodi-area Islamic State supporter pleads guilty, faces 15 years in prison,” Sacramento Bee, December 1, 2015, http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article47317295.html;
Sam Stanton and Denny Walsh, “Lodi area man who tried to join the Islamic State sentenced to 12 years in prison,” Sacramento Bee, June 7, 2016, http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article82266127.html. A paid FBI informant reached out to Teausant, who revealed his plan to bomb the Los Angeles subway system and join ISIS. Teausant later disregarded his plot to bomb the subway, suspecting the FBI would foil his plan.Sam Stanton and Denny Walsh, “Lodi area man who tried to join the Islamic State sentenced to 12 years in prison,” Sacramento Bee, June 7, 2016, http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article82266127.html;
Veronica Rocha, “California man sentenced to 12 years for trying to join ISIS,” Los Angeles Times, June 7, 2016, http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-california-man-sentenced-terrorism-20160607-snap-story.html.
On March 17, 2014, Teausant attempted to travel to Canada in order to fly to the Middle East to join ISIS. He was arrested at the Blaine, Washington, border station by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and FBI agents.Veronica Rocha, “California man sentenced to 12 years for trying to join ISIS,” Los Angeles Times, June 7, 2016, http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-california-man-sentenced-terrorism-20160607-snap-story.html.
Defense lawyers argued Teausant suffers from mental illness, specifically schizophrenia. Following psychological evaluations, he was determined fit to stand trial.Sam Stanton and Denny Walsh, “Lodi area man who tried to join the Islamic State sentenced to 12 years in prison,” Sacramento Bee, June 7, 2016, http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article82266127.html. On December 1, 2015, Teausant pled guilty to attempting to join ISIS. “California man pleads guilty to attempting to join ISIS,” CBS Sacramento, December 1, 2015, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-man-nicholas-teausant-pleads-guilty-to-attempting-to-join-isis/.
On June 7, 2016, Teausant was sentenced to 12 years in prison for attempting to provide material support to ISIS. In addition to the prison term, he was sentenced to 25 years of supervised release.“California Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Attempting to Join ISIL,” Department of Justice, June 7, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/california-man-sentenced-12-years-prison-attempting-join-isil.
Attempted foreign fighter: Sentenced to twelve years in prison for trying to join ISIS in 2014. Teausant’s boarded an Amtrak train bound for Seattle as part of his plan to travel to Canada and then on to Syria to join the terrorist group. He was arrested near the Canadian border by federal agents in Blaine, Washington.
Reportedly read AQAP’s English-language magazine, Inspire, which he downloaded to his laptop computer; Watched al-Awkaki’s videos: Purported YouTube channel
Attempted foreign fighter, California: Attempted to travel to Canada in March 2014 in order to continue on to Syria to join ISIS. The FBI and border officials arrested Teausant while he was trying to cross into Canada. Teausant had also allegedly planned to target the Los Angeles subway system, but abandoned his plans. He pled guilty in December 2015 to attempting to provide material support or resources to a terrorist organization, and was sentenced in June 2016 to 12 years in prison followed by 25 years of supervised release.
Converted to Islam around 2013 as a student at Delta College in Michigan, reportedly to attract the attention of a girl there. Teausant wrote in a blog that he converted after feeling uninspired at church. Teausant enlisted in the U.S. National Guard in April 2012, but did not meet academic requirements for basic training, and was pending discharge at the time of his arrest. He allegedly posted on Instagram in May 2013 that he “would love to join Allah’s army but I don’t even know how to start.” Teausant reportedly downloaded AQAP’s English-language magazine, Inspire, to his laptop computer and watched online videos of AQAP propagandist Anwar al-Awlaki.
(Estimated age at conversion: 20)
In 2014, spoke of plans to bomb the Los Angeles subway system and attempted to travel abroad to join ISIS. Arrested upon his travel attempt on March 17, 2014, and pled guilty to attempting to provide material support to ISIS. Sentenced to 12 years in prison on June 7, 2016.
Laptop contained the tenth issue of AQAP’s Inspire magazine, which includes instructions for attacking vehicles. His purported YouTube channel contained liked videos of sermons by now-deceased AQAP recruiter Anwar al-Awlaki.
Asher Abid Khan is a U.S. citizen from Texas and an alleged would-be foreign fighter for ISIS.Kevin Johnson, “Texas man charged with supporting ISIL,” USA Today, May 26, 2015, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/05/26/texas-suspect-isil/27961367/. FBI agents arrested Khan on March 26, 2015.Lindsay Dunsmuir, “U.S. man charged with conspiracy to provide support to Islamic State,” Reuters, May 26, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/26/us-usa-security-islamicstate-idUSKBN0OB20220150526. Khan was charged with attempting to provide material support to the foreign terrorist organization by assisting a friend’s travel to Syria and attempting to join the group himself.Kevin Johnson, “Texas man charged with supporting ISIL,” USA Today, May 26, 2015, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/05/26/texas-suspect-isil/27961367/.
In January and February of 2014, Khan and his friend, Sixto Ramiro Garcia allegedly planned to travel to Syria to join ISIS.“Criminal Complaint,” United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, May 25, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/file/441346/download. Mohamed Zuhbi, a Turkish-based Australian foreign fighter facilitator, allegedly assisted Khan and Sixto Ramiro Garcia with their logistics via Facebook.“Aust IS recruiter threat to US, court told,” 9News, April 16, 2016, http://www.9news.com.au/world/2016/04/16/13/45/aust-is-recruiter-threat-to-us-court-told;
“Criminal Complaint,” United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, May 25, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/file/441346/download.
Khan was allegedly determined to reach Syria and fight for ISIS. According to the criminal complaint, he told an unnamed acquaintance, “I wanna die as a Shaheed [martyr].”“Criminal Complaint,” United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, May 25, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/file/441346/download. Although Khan reached Turkey, he allegedly immediately flew to the United States after receiving false information from his family that his mother had been hospitalized.Lindsay Dunsmuir, “U.S. man charged with conspiracy to provide support to Islamic State,” Reuters, May 26, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/26/us-usa-security-islamicstate-idUSKBN0OB20220150526. Zuhbi has since been charged with terrorism offences by the U.S., despite never setting foot in the country. His case is at the center of a constitutional battle as prosecutors argue his recruitment of Khan and Garcia, both U.S. citizens, poses a threat to the country. According to prosecutors, Zuhbi is believed to be living “somewhere along the border of Turkey and Syria.”“Aust IS recruiter threat to US, court told,” 9News, April 16, 2016, http://www.9news.com.au/world/2016/04/16/13/45/aust-is-recruiter-threat-to-us-court-told. He pleaded guilty in December 2017, and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.“United States of America v. Asher Abid Khan,” U.S. District Court – Southern District of Texas Houston Division, June 25, 2018, https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs2191/f/Khan%20Sentencing%20Transcript.pdf, 39. Khan was released in November 2019.“ASHER ABID KHAN,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed March 17, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.
Asher Abid Khan was bailed out of jail in early October 2015 and was on strict release, a rigid form of house arrest. He was required to keep meticulous records of his comings and goings, had restricted access to the outside world, and was prohibited from using the internet or possessing a smart phone.Cindy George, “Spring man accused of terrorism on strict release,” Houston Chronicle, November 23, 2015, http://www.houstonchronicle.com/houston/article/Spring-man-accused-of-terrorism-on-strict-release-6651269.php.
On December 4, 2017, Khan pleaded guilty to providing material support to ISIS,“Texas Resident Pleads Guilty to Providing Material Support to ISIS,” U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Public Affairs, December 4, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/texas-resident-pleads-guilty-providing-material-support-isis. and on June 25, 2018, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by three years of post-release supervision.“United States of America v. Asher Abid Khan,” U.S. District Court – Southern District of Texas Houston Division, June 25, 2018, https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs2191/f/Khan%20Sentencing%20Transcript.pdf, 39. At sentencing, the judge noted Khan’s prior naivete, his subsequent regret, and his efforts to make amends, and sentenced him to less than the prosecutors’ recommendation of 20 years in prison and a lifetime of post release supervision.“United States of America v. Asher Abid Khan,” U.S. District Court – Southern District of Texas Houston Division, June 25, 2018, https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs2191/f/Khan%20Sentencing%20Transcript.pdf, 39; Gabrielle Banks, “UH Engineering Student Who Tried to Join ISIS in Syria Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison,” Houston Chronicle, June 25, 2018, https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/UH-engineering-student-who-tried-to-join-ISIS-in-13023885.php. Khan was released from prison on November 26, 2019.“ASHER ABID KHAN,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed March 17, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.
Attempted foreign fighter: Arrived in Istanbul allegedly en route to join ISIS in Syria. He returned to Texas on instructions from his parents and was charged with conspiracy to support ISIS.
Watched al-Awlaki videos on YouTube and sent to friends over messages on social media: The criminal complaint reports: “On or about February 14, 2014, Khan and Individual 1 had the following conversation about a Youtube video.” (Footnote: “The Youtube video is currently still available and entitled ‘Tribute to Sheikh Anwar Al -Awlaki.’ The video depicts Al-Awlaki’s speeches and commentary. It further shows a U.S. government statement announcing that Awlaki, a leader of Al ‘Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, was killed in Yemen.”)
Arrived in Istanbul allegedly en route to join ISIS in Syria. He returned to Texas on instructions from his parents and was charged with conspiring to support ISIS in March 2015.
Sent a YouTube video to an individual featuring speeches and commentary from now-deceased AQAP recruiter Anwar al-Awlaki.
Michael Todd Wolfe is an American convert to Islam who attempted to travel to Syria to join ISISScott Shane,” From Minneapolis to ISIS: an American’s path to jihad,” New York Times, March 21, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/22/world/middleeast/from-minneapolis-to-isis-an-americans-path-to-jihad.html.. Wolfe planned to travel to Denmark via Icelandair, and then to Turkey, from where he would cross over to Syria.Ben Brumfield, “Texas man pleads guilty to attempting to join ISIS’ jihad in Syria” CNN, June 28, 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/28/justice/texas-terror-arrests/. Wolfe intended to bring his wife and two children with him on the trip.U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, “United States of America v. Michael Todd Wolfe, aka ‘Faruq,’” Los Angeles Times, June 27, 2014, http://documents.latimes.com/michael-wolfe-complaint/.
Wolfe was arrested at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, on June 17, 2015, as he attempted to board the plane to Toronto, the first stop on his would-be journey to Syria.Ben Brumfield, “Texas man pleads guilty to attempting to join ISIS’ jihad in Syria” CNN, June 28, 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/28/justice/texas-terror-arrests/. In the same month, he pled guilty to “attempting to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization,” in federal court in the Western district of Texas.Ben Brumfield, “Texas man pleads guilty to attempting to join ISIS’ jihad in Syria” CNN, June 28, 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/28/justice/texas-terror-arrests/. Wolfe appeared in court again on June 5, 2015, and was sentenced to 82 months in prison.“Texas man sentenced to 82 months in prison for attempting to travel to Syria to join ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 5, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/sanantonio/press-releases/2015/texas-man-sentenced-to-82-months-in-prison-for-attempting-to-travel-to-syria-to-join-isil.
The Wolfes planned their trip alongside two undercover FBI agents who they believed shared their intention to reach Syria.Ben Brumfield, “Texas man pleads guilty to attempting to join ISIS’ jihad in Syria” CNN, June 28, 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/28/justice/texas-terror-arrests/. Wolfe’s wife told an undercover FBI agent that she supported her husband’s pursuit to “perform a violent form of jihad,” according to the criminal complaint.U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, “United States of America v. Michael Todd Wolfe, aka ‘Faruq,’” Los Angeles Times, June 27, 2014, http://documents.latimes.com/michael-wolfe-complaint/. Wolfe originally planned to join al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, the Nusra Front, but shifted his plans to join ISIS when tensions between the two groups began to intensify. Wolfe declared he was more “in line” with ISIS, according to the criminal complaint.U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, “United States of America v. Michael Todd Wolfe, aka ‘Faruq,’” Los Angeles Times, June 27, 2014, http://documents.latimes.com/michael-wolfe-complaint/.
Throughout a series of phone calls, the FBI agents discussed with Wolfe his travel plans and goals for once he arrived. The agents were able to confirm Wolfe’s plans to join the terror group and identify his travel date of June 17, 2014.Ben Brumfield, “Texas man pleads guilty to attempting to join ISIS’ jihad in Syria” CNN, June 28, 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/28/justice/texas-terror-arrests/.
Wolfe expressed hesitation to join ISIS abroad because of his family and financial issues.U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, “United States of America v. Michael Todd Wolfe, aka ‘Faruq,’” Los Angeles Times, June 27, 2014, http://documents.latimes.com/michael-wolfe-complaint/. He told undercover FBI agents that “if he was single, he would have already left,” according to the criminal complaint.U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, “United States of America v. Michael Todd Wolfe, aka ‘Faruq,’” Los Angeles Times, June 27, 2014, http://documents.latimes.com/michael-wolfe-complaint/.
Attempted foreign fighter, Texas: Attempted to travel to Canada on his way to Syria to join ISIS or the Nusra Front. Wolfe was arrested at the George H.W. Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, on June 17, 2014. He pled guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and was sentenced in June 2015 to 82 months in prison.
Convert to Islam, according to a report by the New York Times. After his plea agreement, Wolfe’s wife told media that undercover FBI agents pressured him to travel to Syria. Wolfe was previously convicted of theft and assault, which he claimed made it difficult to find employment.
(No estimated age at conversion)
Syrian-born Mohamad Saeed Kodaimati is an American citizen and resident of California. On April 22, 2015, Kodaimati was arrested in Rancho Bernardo, California, and accused of participating in battle alongside al-Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate al-Nusra Front.Kristina Davis, “San Diegan accused of hiding ISIS links,” San Diego Union Tribune, April 23, 2015, http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/apr/23/syrian-terror-isis-arrested-saeed/. He was charged with two counts of making false statements involving international terrorism matters. On October 29, 2015, Kodaimati pleaded guilty in federal court to “lying to federal authorities about his connections to international terrorism during his time spent in Syria.”Kristina Davis, “Guilty Plea in Syrian Terror Investigation,” San Diego Union-Tribune, October 29, 2015, https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-saeed-syria-terror-investigation-guilty-plea-2015oct29-story.html?_amp=true. He agreed to an eight-year prison sentence in his plea deal.Steve Fiorina, “Mohamad Saeed Kodaimati arrested, charged in international terrorism investigation,” ABC News San Diego, April 23, 2015, http://www.10news.com/news/san-diegan-mohamad-saeed-kodaimati-arrested-charged-in-international-terrorism-investigation;
Tony Perry, “Syrian immigrant, 24, admits links to Islamic State and pleads guilty to lying to FBI,” Los Angeles Times, October 29, 2015, http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-islamic-state-links-suspect-guilty-20151029-story.html.
Kodaimati is believed to have operated out of Syria at some point between 2012 and early 2015. He is accused of having worked at al-Nusra Front’s sharia court, which uses Islamic law in all legal proceedings. He is also accused of having served as a mediator between al-Nusra Front and rival group ISIS.Kristina Davis, “San Diegan accused of hiding ISIS links,” San Diego Union Tribune, April 23, 2015, http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/apr/23/syrian-terror-isis-arrested-saeed/.
The federal complaint alleged that Kodaimati made false statements about his activities and associations in Syria during an interview at the U.S. embassy in Turkey in March 2015. According to the complaint, Kodaimati falsely claimed that he had never been involved in any fighting with al-Nusra Front,“San Diego Man Arrested and Charged With Making False Statements in an International Terrorism Investigation,” United States Department of Justice, April 23, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/san-diego-man-arrested-and-charged-making-false-statements-international-terrorism. that he had never used his weapon (though he admitted to owning one), and that he did not know any ISIS members.“San Diego Man Arrested and Charged With Making False Statements in an International Terrorism Investigation,” United States Department of Justice, April 23, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/san-diego-man-arrested-and-charged-making-false-statements-international-terrorism. On March 14, 2016, he was sentenced to eight years in prison, which was the maximum sentence under his plea bargain.Dana Littlefield, “Syrian Gets 8 Years for Lying to U.S. Officials About his Ties to Terrorism,” Los Angeles Times, March 14, 2016, https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-0315-san-diego-terrorism-20160315-story.html. He is currently imprisoned at United States Penitentiary Lompoc, with a scheduled release date of February 13, 2022.“Mohamad Saeed Kodaimati,” Inmate Lookup – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed January 13, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.
American-born Noelle Velentzas is an alleged homegrown extremist and supporter of ISIS and al-Qaeda.Erika Badia, John Marzulli, and Larry Mcshane, “Would-be terrorists considered attack on NYPD funeral after Rafael Ramos send-off authorities,” New York Daily News, April 3, 3015, http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/wannabe-terrorists-weighed-attack-nypd-funeral-complaint-article-1.2171174. She was arrested by the FBI in her home along with her alleged accomplice, Asia Siddiqui, on April 2, 2015. The two women were charged with conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction against persons or property in the United States.“Two Queens Residents Charged with Conspiracy to Use a Weapon of Mass Destruction,” U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York, April 2, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/newyork/press-releases/2015/two-queens-residents-charged-with-conspiracy-to-use-a-weapon-of-mass-destruction. Both women initially pled not guilty to the charge.Christie Smythe, “New York Women Plead Not Guilty in Jihadist Bomb-Plot Case,” Bloomberg, May 7, 2015, http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-07/new-york-women-plead-not-guilty-in-jihadist-bomb-plot-case. In 2019, Velentzas and Siddiqui both pled guilty to teaching or distributing information pertaining to the making and use of an explosive, destructive device, or weapon of mass destruction.“Two Queens Women Plead Guilty in Connection with Plan to Build Explosive Devices Similar to Those Used in Prior Terrorist Attacks in the United States,” U.S. Department of Justice, August 23, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-queens-women-plead-guilty-connection-plan-build-explosive-devices-similar-those-used. Velentzas was sentenced to 16 ½ years in prison on June 16, 2021.“Woman Sentenced to 198 Months in Prison for Teaching and Distributing Information About Weapons of Mass Destruction,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 16, 2021, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/woman-sentenced-198-months-prison-teaching-and-distributing-information-about-weapons-mass.
Velentzas is ethnically Greek and was born in Miami, Florida.“Prosecutors: Women Charged In Alleged Terror Plot Believed ‘Armageddon’ Was Coming,” CBS News, April 3, 2015, http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/04/03/2-women-accused-of-plotting-isis-inspired-terror-attack-held-without-bail/. She lived in various homeless shelters as a teenager and converted to Islam at age 17.“Prosecutors: Women Charged In Alleged Terror Plot Believed ‘Armageddon’ Was Coming,” CBS News, April 3, 2015, http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/04/03/2-women-accused-of-plotting-isis-inspired-terror-attack-held-without-bail/.
Between August 2014 and April 2015, Velentzas and Siddiqui met with an undercover FBI agent whom the two women believed to be a fellow jihadist.Elizabeth Whitman, “How Noelle Velentzas, Asia Siddiqui Were Arrested For Allegedly Conspiring In Terror Attack: New York Women Foiled By Undercover Agent,” International Business Times, April 2, 2015, http://www.ibtimes.com/how-noelle-velentzas-asia-siddiqui-were-arrested-allegedly-conspiring-terror-attack-1868472. During this time, the women allegedly educated themselves on how to build explosives, and collected potential bomb-building supplies from stores such as Home Depot.“Criminal Complaint,” United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, April 1, 2015, https://cbsnewyork.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/velentzas-complaint.pdf. The evidence for the case against the women included objects found in their apartments, allegedly including propane gas tanks, soldering tools, pipes, a pressure cooker, fertilizer, flux, machetes, daggers, and bomb recipes.Erika Badia, John Marzulli, and Larry McShane, “Would-be terrorists considered attack on NYPD funeral after Rafael Ramos send-off authorities,” New York Daily News, April 3, 3015, http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/wannabe-terrorists-weighed-attack-nypd-funeral-complaint-article-1.2171174. Authorities suspect they were planning to attack policemen and a heavily populated funeral for a police officer.Erika Badia, John Marzulli, and Larry McShane, “Would-be terrorists considered attack on NYPD funeral after Rafael Ramos send-off authorities,” New York Daily News, April 3, 3015, http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/wannabe-terrorists-weighed-attack-nypd-funeral-complaint-article-1.2171174. In October 2014, Velentzas told the undercover agent that people should refer to her, Siddiqui, and the agent as “citizens of the Islamic State.”“Criminal Complaint,” United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, April 1, 2015, https://cbsnewyork.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/velentzas-complaint.pdf.
Velentzas reportedly kept a photo of Osama bin Laden on her phone, and was “obsessed” with 9/11 and the Boston bombing.”Erika Badia, John Marzulli, and Larry Mcshane, “Would-be terrorists considered attack on NYPD funeral after Rafael Ramos send-off authorities,” New York Daily News, April 3, 3015, http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/wannabe-terrorists-weighed-attack-nypd-funeral-complaint-article-1.2171174. Velentzas described bin Laden and Abdullah Azzam as her “heroes,” and asserted that bin Laden’s ideas were similar to her own, according to the criminal complaint.“Criminal Complaint,” United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, April 1, 2015, https://cbsnewyork.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/velentzas-complaint.pdf.
Velentzas’s neighbors, family, and imam seemed surprised by her and Siddiqui’s arrest.John Asbury, Alison Fox, and Zachary R. Dowdy, “Bomb suspects Noelle Velentzas and Asia Siddiqui described as devout Muslims with no hint of extreme leanings,” Newsday, April 2, 2015, http://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/noelle-velentzas-asia-siddiqui-bomb-suspects-described-as-devoted-to-islam-family-1.10185012. Neighbor David Isaac stated, “I’ve seen the two of them together. Nothing extremist or nothing, nothing about ISIS or none of that, no propaganda. If they were doing it, they were doing it on the down low.” According to authorities, Velentzas had a violent history despite her innocent facade.Erika Badia, John Marzulli, and Larry Mcshane, “Would-be terrorists considered attack on NYPD funeral after Rafael Ramos send-off authorities,” , April 3, 3015, http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/wannabe-terrorists-weighed-attack-nypd-funeral-complaint-article-1.2171174.
On August 23, 2019, Velentzas and Siddiqui pled guilty to charges of teaching or distributing information pertaining to the making and use of an explosive, destructive device, or weapon of mass destruction in furtherance of a planned federal crime of violence.“Two Queens Women Plead Guilty in Connection with Plan to Build Explosive Devices Similar to Those Used in Prior Terrorist Attacks in the United States,” U.S. Department of Justice, August 23, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-queens-women-plead-guilty-connection-plan-build-explosive-devices-similar-those-used. Siddiqui was sentenced to 15 years in prison on January 9, 2020.“Queens Woman Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment for Teaching and Distributing Information About Weapons of Mass Destruction,” U.S. Department of Justice, January 9, 2020, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/queens-woman-sentenced-15-years-imprisonment-teaching-and-distributing-information-about. On June 16, 2021, Velentzas was sentenced to 198 months—approximately 16 ½ years—in prison.“Woman Sentenced to 198 Months in Prison for Teaching and Distributing Information About Weapons of Mass Destruction,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 16, 2021, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/woman-sentenced-198-months-prison-teaching-and-distributing-information-about-weapons-mass.
Attempted domestic terrorist, New York: Conspired with former roommate Asia Siddiqui to build bombs for ISIS-inspired attacks within the United States. Velentzas was charged with conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction in the United States in April 2015. She pled not guilty in May 2015. Velentzas and Siddiqui claimed to be citizens of ISIS’s caliphate.
Converted to Islam between 2004 and 2005 as a teenager after years of observing the “peace” enjoyed by Muslim students at her high school, according to ABC News. Velentzas reportedly began attending the Masjid Al-Hamdulillah mosque in Queens, New York, with her accused co-conspirator, Asia Siddiqui, in or around 2010. She reportedly kept a picture of Osama bin Laden on her phone and became obsessed with pressure cookers after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. (Age at conversion: 17)
Plotted the construction of an explosive device to use in a domestic terror attack with Asia Siddiqui. Charged in April 2015 alongside Siddiqui for conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction against persons or property in the United States.
Watched videos of ISIS members beheading Syrian soldiers, and a video of a suicide bombing, which she described as “so cool.” Also had on her phone an audio recording of an Osama bin Laden speech, and studied bomb-building instructions in the spring 2014 issue of AQAP’s Inspire magazine.
New Jersey resident Samuel Rahamin Topaz is a would-be foreign fighter for ISIS. The FBI arrested Topaz at his Fort Lee, New Jersey, home on June 17, 2015, on charges of conspiracy to provide material support to the terror group.“New Jersey Man Charged with Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 18, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/newark/press-releases/2015/new-jersey-man-charged-with-conspiracy-to-provide-material-support-to-isil. On the day of his arrest, Topaz told the FBI he sympathized with the group and had watched ISIS beheading videos with his accused co-conspirators.“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v SAMUEL RAHAMIN TOPAZ,” United States District Court District of New Jersey, June 18, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/file/479046/download. He told the FBI that he and his co-conspirators had planned to join ISIS by traveling through intermediary countries.“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v SAMUEL RAHAMIN TOPAZ,” United States District Court District of New Jersey, June 18, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/file/479046/download. On September 9, 2015, Topaz pled guilty to one count of conspiring with others to provide services and personnel to the foreign terrorist organization. According to prosecutors, he faces up to 20 years in prison under the plea agreement.
The FBI’s case against Topaz includes interviews with a New Jersey resident, “Person A,” who has a “personal relationship” with Topaz.“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v SAMUEL RAHAMIN TOPAZ,” United States District Court District of New Jersey, June 18, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/file/479046/download. Person A expressed worry that Topaz would go abroad and “do something stupid.”“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v SAMUEL RAHAMIN TOPAZ,” United States District Court District of New Jersey, June 18, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/file/479046/download. The informant said two of his co-conspirators were “preying” on Topaz’s “insecurities and pain.”“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v SAMUEL RAHAMIN TOPAZ,” United States District Court District of New Jersey, June 18, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/file/479046/download. Topaz had also reportedly distanced himself from his high school friends, who allegedly had a good influence on him.“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v SAMUEL RAHAMIN TOPAZ,” United States District Court District of New Jersey, June 18, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/file/479046/download.
Person A told authorities that Topaz and a co-conspirator watched jihadist videos of “what is going on overseas.”“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v SAMUEL RAHAMIN TOPAZ,” United States District Court District of New Jersey, June 18, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/file/479046/download. Person A reported overhearing Topaz and the co-conspirator “talking in a happy way about the fact that ‘they’ took over a town and the people are so scared that police even left their uniforms in the middle of the street.”“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v SAMUEL RAHAMIN TOPAZ,” United States District Court District of New Jersey, June 18, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/file/479046/download.
The FBI’s criminal complaint does not name Topaz’s co-conspirators, but two of the descriptions reportedly match the descriptions of Fareed Mumini and Munther Omar Saleh.Nicholas Pugliese, “Alleged ISIS hopeful from Fort Lee has unlikely past,” Record, June 19, 2015, http://www.northjersey.com/news/alleged-isis-hopeful-has-unlikely-past-1.1359779. Saleh is a 20-year-old college student from Queens, New York, who was arrested on June 13, 2015, for attempting to build a pressure-cooker bomb to attack New York tourists on behalf of ISIS.Benjamin Mueller, “College Student in Queens Is Charged With Conspiring to Support ISIS,” New York Times, June 16, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/17/nyregion/college-student-in-queens-is-charged-with-conspiring-to-support-isis.html. Saleh also allegedly translated ISIS propaganda into English.Benjamin Mueller, “College Student in Queens Is Charged With Conspiring to Support ISIS,” New York Times, June 16, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/17/nyregion/college-student-in-queens-is-charged-with-conspiring-to-support-isis.html. Federal prosecutors charged 21-year-old Mumini on June 16, 2015, for trying to stab an FBI agent trying to legally search Mumini’s Staten Island home.Benjamin Mueller, “New Jersey Man Is Charged With Planning to Aid ISIS,” New York Times, June 18, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/nyregion/new-jersey-man-is-charged-with-planning-to-aid-isis.html.
Topaz is a convert to Islam and the son of a Jewish father and Christian mother.Nicholas Pugliese, “Alleged ISIS hopeful from Fort Lee has unlikely past,” Record, June 19, 2015, http://www.northjersey.com/news/alleged-isis-hopeful-has-unlikely-past-1.1359779. Former high school classmates remember Topaz for his involvement in theater, football, and track.Nicholas Pugliese, “Alleged ISIS hopeful from Fort Lee has unlikely past,” Record, June 19, 2015, http://www.northjersey.com/news/alleged-isis-hopeful-has-unlikely-past-1.1359779. Topaz is an amateur rapper who has a “beautiful voice,” according to former classmates.Nicholas Pugliese, “Alleged ISIS hopeful from Fort Lee has unlikely past,” Record, June 19, 2015, http://www.northjersey.com/news/alleged-isis-hopeful-has-unlikely-past-1.1359779. He was accepted to Boston’s Berklee College of Music but his financial situation prevented him from attending.Nicholas Pugliese, “Alleged ISIS hopeful from Fort Lee has unlikely past,” Record, June 19, 2015, http://www.northjersey.com/news/alleged-isis-hopeful-has-unlikely-past-1.1359779. Topaz began referring to himself as “The Angel of Carnage” on Facebook.Samuel Rahamin Topaz’s Facebook page, accessed June 22, 2015, https://www.facebook.com/TheAngelOfCarnage. On March 7, 2015, he changed his profile picture to a collage of himself wearing various colored kaffiyehs covering his face with the caption, “which assassin am i, or am i all of them?!?!”Samuel Rahamin Topaz’s Facebook page, accessed June 22, 2015, https://www.facebook.com/TheAngelOfCarnage.
In an April 25, 2015, Facebook post, Topaz said he was “leaving the country to get married and have a real life.”Samuel Rahamin Topaz’s Facebook page, accessed June 22, 2015, https://www.facebook.com/TheAngelOfCarnage. In a subsequent comment he told a Facebook friend he was going to Jordan.Samuel Rahamin Topaz’s Facebook page, accessed June 22, 2015, https://www.facebook.com/TheAngelOfCarnage. When asked why he was going, he replied he had a goal when he got there: “To find peace for the world.”Samuel Rahamin Topaz’s Facebook page, accessed June 22, 2015, https://www.facebook.com/TheAngelOfCarnage. In the final comment on the thread, a poster warned Topaz “Just know that when you arrive in whatever location you plan to reside at - the US military won’t come looking for you if you get into trouble. Be a peaceful believer. Stay the fuck away from extremists.”Samuel Rahamin Topaz’s Facebook page, accessed June 22, 2015, https://www.facebook.com/TheAngelOfCarnage.
Attempted foreign fighter, New Jersey: Arrested in June 2015 at his home in Fort Lee, New Jersey, for conspiring with fellow ISIS supporters Munther Omar, Alaa Saadeh, and Nader Saadeh to join the group abroad. Topaz pled guilty in September 2015 to conspiracy to provide services and personnel to the foreign terrorist organization.
Converted to Islam in high school in or around 2014 after co-conspirator and former Fort Lee High School classmate Nader Saadeh introduced him to the religion. Topaz was raised by a Jewish father and a Christian mother. Former high school classmates remember Topaz for his involvement in theater, football, and track. Accepted to Boston’s Berklee College of Music, Topaz did not attend for financial reasons. He later posted on Facebook that he was undertaking a fast between December 31, 2014, and January 30, 2015, to “cleanse” himself and “remove all the loneliness by bringing me to my closest friend, Allah(SWT).” On March 7, 2015, he changed his profile picture to a collage of himself wearing various colored keffiyehs (checkered scarves) covering his face with the caption, “which assassin am i, or am i all of them?!?!”
(Estimated age at conversion: 15-18)
Planned to join ISIS abroad with Alaa Sadeh, Nader Saadeh, and Munther Omar Saleh. Pled guilty to a charge of conspiring to provide material support to ISIS in September 2015.
Watched ISIS execution videos with Alaa and Nader Saadeh.
California resident Adam Dandach is a U.S. citizen and attempted foreign fighter for ISIS. On July 3, 2014, he was arrested and charged with making false statements on an application for a replacement passport, which authorities believe he intended to use to fly to Istanbul, Turkey, and eventually onto Syria. In August 2015, Dandach signed a plea agreement admitting to attempting to provide material support to ISIS and making a false statement in a passport application.Brian Melley, “California man guilty of trying to support Islamic State,” Associated Press, August 10, 2015, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/44ce687f5fff4d7188c460d7dc9df278/california-man-guilty-trying-support-islamic-state. He was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison in July 2016.Sean Emery, “O.C. man sentenced to 15 years after he admitted to trying to join ISIS,” Orange County Register, July 25, 2016, http://www.ocregister.com/articles/islamic-723550-dandach-state.html. The judge recommended mental health treatment at sentencing.“United States of America v. Adam Dandach a.k.a. ‘Fadi Fadi Dandach’ – Sentencing Hearing,” United States District Court, Central District of California Southern Division, August 18, 2016, https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs2191/f/Dandach%20Sentencing%20Hearing.pdf, 33. Dandach is currently imprisoned at Rochester Federal Medical Center in Minnesota, with an expected release date of September 2, 2027.“Adam Dandach,” Inmate Locator – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed March 3, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.
Authorities believe that Dandach attempted to obstruct the investigation into his actions by asking an unnamed website administrator to delete his post history on that website.“Orange, County, California, Man Charged in New Indictment with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” The United States Department of Justice, March 4, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/orange-county-california-man-charged-new-indictment-attempting-provide-material-support-isil. Dandach also operated a Twitter account under the twitter handle @Al_Fadi1414. His profile photo depicts the ISIS flag and his bio reads, “The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: If anyone asks Allah for martyrdom sincerely, Allah make him reach the ranks of martyrs though he may die on his bed.”Adam Dandach Twitter, accessed February 16, 2017, https://twitter.com/al_fadi1414.
In or around March 2015, while in prison, Dandach sent letters and poems to the Orange County Register.Theresa Walker, “'Naive' or a wannabe terrorist? Read some of the letters, poems of O.C. man accused of supporting ISIS,” Orange County Register, March 23, 2015, http://www.ocregister.com/articles/dandach-655150-poem-register.html. In one poem, he wrote, “Rot in a grave of fire, right where you belong. Je suie [sic] Al-Qaeda, leaving another scar.”Theresa Walker, “'Naive' or a wannabe terrorist? Read some of the letters, poems of O.C. man accused of supporting ISIS,” Orange County Register, March 23, 2015, http://www.ocregister.com/articles/dandach-655150-poem-register.html.
Attempted foreign fighter, California: Arrested in July 2014 after purchasing a plane ticket from California to Istanbul in order to join ISIS in Syria. Dandach pled guilty to conspiring to provide material support to ISIS. Dandach also pled guilty to making a false statement on a passport application after his family confiscated his passport. Dandach had told authorities he lost his passport so he could obtain a new one. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Reportedly converted to Islam and changed his name to Fadi Fadi. According to his attorney, Pal Lengyel-Leahu, religion provided Dandach with a sense of purpose in life. U.S. Attorney Eileen Decker said that Dandach fell victim to ISIS’s “online recruiting efforts.” (No estimated age at conversion)
Arrested in 2014 before an attempt to travel to Syria to join ISIS. Pled guilty to attempting to provide material support to ISIS and was sentenced to 15 years in prison in July 2016.
Had videos of ISIS beheadings on his cell phone. Posted them online, according to prosecutors.
Mohamed Abdihamid Farah is a convicted ISIS conspirator and would-be foreign fighter from Minnesota. On April 18, 2015, he was charged with conspiring to provide material support to the terror group.Mukhtar Ibrahim and Laura Yuen, “Informant’s role emerges as key in counterterror sweep,” MPR News, April 20, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/20/counterterror-informant. Following a 10-month federal investigation and subsequent arrest, Farah was transported to a Minnesota federal court. He pled not guilty to charges leveled against him on June 11, 2015.Ben Kesling, “Minnesota Terror Suspect Pleads Not Guilty,” Wall Street Journal, June 11, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/family-of-minnesota-terror-suspect-allegedly-knew-of-plot-1434036863.
Farah allegedly plotted his trip to Syria alongside eight Minnesota-based friends for nearly 10 months.“United States of America v. Abdirizak Mohamed Warsame,” U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, December 9, 2015, 4 – 6, http://kstp.com/kstpImages/repository/cs/files/WarsameComplaint.pdf; Laura Yuen, Mukhtar Ibrahim, and Sasha Aslanian, “Called to fight: Minnesota’s ISIS recruits,” Minnesota Public Radio News, March 25, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/03/25/minnesota-isis. According to U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger, “Even when [the] co-conspirators were caught and charged, they continued to seek new and creative ways to leave Minnesota to fight for a terror group.”“Americans Linked to ISIS,” CNN, updated April 23, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2015/04/us/americans-isis/.
The group of friends was reportedly inspired by their associate Abdiwali Nur, who traveled to Syria to fight with ISIS in May of 2014.Mukhtar Ibrahim and Laura Yuen, “Informant’s role emerges as key in counterterror sweep,” MPR News, April 20, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/20/counterterror-informant. A court affidavit reveals that Farah and Nur spent time together two days before Nur’s departure.United States of America v. Hamza Naj Ahmed et al., Affidavit in Support of Criminal Complaint and Arrest Warrants (D. Minn. 2015), http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/04/20/farah_et_al_criminal_complaint.pdf.. Authorities now believe that Nur is dead.Laura Yuen, “3 of 9 Twin Cities men sentenced in ISIS conspiracy trial,” MPR News, November 14, 2016, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/11/14/first-day-of-sentencing-isis-trial.
One alleged co-conspirator, Abdullahi Yusuf, recalled that Farah directed him to videos encouraging violence on behalf of Islam.Mukhtar Ibrahim and Lauren Yuen, “In court filings, ISIS recruit details path from Minnesota to Syria,” MPR News, June 11, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/06/11/mohamed-farah. In court filings, Yusuf also revealed that Farah assisted him in acquiring a passport in the spring of 2014 and provided him with phone numbers to call once he arrived in Syria.Amy Forliti, “Judge: Man accused of trying to go to Syria to remain held,” Seattle Times, June 11, 2015, http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/man-accused-of-trying-to-go-to-syria-to-remain-held/. In April 2015, Farah was arrested in California on a mission to purchase fake passports from an undercover FBI agent.Aamer Madhani, “3 Minneapolis men found guilty in plot to join ISIL,” USA Today, June 3, 2016, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/06/03/3-minneapolis-men-found-guilty-plot-join-isil/85355076/.
Mohamed Farah’s mother, Ayan Farah, told reporters that she believed Mohamed and his younger brother, Adnan, were set up.“Minnesota Mother Shocked That 2 Sons Face Terror charges,” CBS Minnesota, April 22, 2015, http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/04/22/agents-some-in-minnesota-lost-multiple-sons-to-extremists/. Court documents reveal that Ayan believed her sons were traveling to Chicago from Minneapolis, but wouldn’t allow her younger son, Adnan, to join.United States of America v. Hamza Naj Ahmed et al., Affidavit in Support of Criminal Complaint and Arrest Warrants (D. Minn. 2015), http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/04/20/farah_et_al_criminal_complaint.pdf. Their father claimed the boys were brainwashed and entrapped.Mukhtar Ibrahim and Laura Yuen, “Informant’s role emerges as key in counterterror sweep,” MPR News, April 20, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/20/counterterror-informant.
In early June of 2016, Farah was found guilty of conspiring to provide material support to a terrorist organization, as well as conspiring to commit murder overseas.Jack Healy and Matt Furber, “3 Somali-Americans Found Guilty of Trying to Join Islamic State,” New York Times, June 3, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/04/us/somali-americans-verdict-minneapolis-isis.html?_r=0.
On November 16, 2016, U.S. District Judge Michael Davis sentenced Farah to 30 years in prison. Farah told the court that “the actions I have done are what a terrorist would do, but…I’m not a terrorist.”Douglas Ernst, “Minn. ISIS supporter receives 30-year prison sentence: ‘You and your cell lied’,” Washington Times, November 16, 2016, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/nov/16/mohamed-farah-minneapolis-isis-supporter-receives-/; “Somali-American Gets 30 Years in Prison for Plotting to Join Islamic State,” Voice of America, November 16, 2016, http://www.voanews.com/a/final-3-minnesotans-to-be-sentenced-in-islamic-state-case/3598324.html. Also at the sentencing, Judge Davis warned that “…there is jihadist cell in this [Somali] community [in Minnesota]. Its tentacles spread out.”Douglas Ernst, “Minn. ISIS supporter receives 30-year prison sentence: ‘You and your cell lied’,” Washington Times, November 16, 2016, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/nov/16/mohamed-farah-minneapolis-isis-supporter-receives-/. Farah’s younger brother Adnan Farah—also a defendant in the case—was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty in April 2016.Douglas Ernst, “Minn. ISIS supporter receives 30-year prison sentence: ‘You and your cell lied’,” Washington Times, November 16, 2016, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/nov/16/mohamed-farah-minneapolis-isis-supporter-receives-/; “Somali-American Gets 30 Years in Prison for Plotting to Join Islamic State,” Voice of America, November 16, 2016, http://www.voanews.com/a/final-3-minnesotans-to-be-sentenced-in-islamic-state-case/3598324.html; “Minnesota man changes plea to guilty in Islamic State case,” Associated Press, April 14, 2016, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/84a67ff95d1e4c458c324fecf672013e/minnesota-man-pleads-guilty-islamic-state-case; Laura Yuen, “Third ISIS sentence of the day: 10 years,” MPR News, November 15, 2016, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/11/15/day-2-of-isis-trial.
Part of a group of Somali-American youth from Minnesota who conspired to join ISIS in Syria. Charged with conspiring to provide material support to the group in in April 2015. Convicted in November 2016 and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Drove to San Diego with Abdirahman Daud and Abdirahman Bashir, two other Somali-American youth from Minnesota who conspired to join ISIS in Syria. During the car ride, they watched ISIS propaganda videos and listened to speeches by now-deceased AQAP recruiter Anwar al-Awlaki. There was a recording played in court of Bashir and Mohamed Abdihamad Farah watching and discussing the ISIS propaganda video “Upon [the] Prophetic Methodology,” which shows individuals pledging allegiance to ISIS and mass executions. Allegedly showed others videos on his iPad that depicted bombings in Syria.
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
On October 7, 2023, Hamas invaded southern Israel where, in the space of eight hours, hundreds of armed terrorists perpetrated mass crimes of brutality, rape, and torture against men, women and children. In the biggest attack on Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, 1,200 were killed, and 251 were taken hostage into Gaza—where 101 remain. One year on, antisemitic incidents have increased by record numbers.
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