Nihad Rosic is a Bosnian immigrant to the United States, charged with terrorist-related crimes including conspiring to provide material support, money, and resources to a foreign terrorist group, as well as attempting to kill in a foreign country.“Six Defendants Charged with Conspiracy and Providing Material Support to Terrorists,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 6, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/six-defendants-charged-conspiracy-and-providing-material-support-terrorists. In March 2015, Rosic appeared in court in St. Louis, Missouri, and pled not guilty to the charges leveled against him.Dan Gray, “Terror suspect pleads not guilty to charges,” Fox 2, March 10, 2015, http://fox2now.com/2015/03/10/terror-suspect-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges/.

Federal authorities began tracking Rosic and his alleged co-conspirators in 2013.Melanie Eversley and Kevin Johnson, “Feds lodge terror charges against six,” USA Today, February 7, 2015, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/02/06/terror-charges-syria/23013981/. In February 2014, Rosic was arrested and charged alongside alleged co-conspirators Ramiz Zijad Hodzic, Sedina Unkic Hodzic, Armin Harcevic, Mediha Medy Salkicevic, and Jasminka Ramic on a number of terrorism-related crimes.“Six Defendants Charged with Conspiracy and Providing Material Support to Terrorists,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 6, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/six-defendants-charged-conspiracy-and-providing-material-support-terrorists.

Before his indictment, Rosic was a truck driver.Dan Gray, “Terror suspect pleads not guilty to charges,” Fox 2, March 10, 2015, http://fox2now.com/2015/03/10/terror-suspect-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges/. In November 2011, he was charged with endangering the welfare of a child after he allegedly punched in the face a woman who had been holding a child in her arms.Melanie Eversley and Kevin Johnson, “Feds lodge terror charges against six,” USA Today, February 7, 2015, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/02/06/terror-charges-syria/23013981/. Less than a year later, Rosic was charged with assault for allegedly beating his girlfriend with a belt.Melanie Eversley and Kevin Johnson, “Feds lodge terror charges against six,” USA Today, February 7, 2015, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/02/06/terror-charges-syria/23013981/.

U.S. authorities arrested Abdurasul Hasanovich Juraboev and two cohorts—his roommate Akhror Saidakhmetov and financer Abror Habibov—on February 25, 2015, for allegedly attempting to leave the United States to join ISIS in Syria.“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA against ABDURASUL HASANOVICH JURABOEV, also known as “Abdulloh Ibn Hasan,” AKHROR SAIDAKHMETOV, and ABROR HABIBOV, Defendants.,” United States Department of Justice, February 24, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/file/344761/download. Juraboev is a resident of Brooklyn, New York, and a citizen of Uzbekistan.“Three Brooklyn Residents Charged with Attempt and Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” FBI, February 25, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/newyork/press-releases/2015/three-brooklyn-residents-charged-with-attempt-and-conspiracy-to-provide-material-support-to-isil. Juraboev had allegedly planned to fly to Istanbul in March 2015 to join ISIS in Syria.Stephanie Clifford, “Brooklyn Man Accused of Supporting ISIS Pleads Guilty,” New York Times, August 15, 2015, https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/15/nyregion/brooklyn-man-accused-of-supporting-isis-pleads-guilty.html. Juraboev was charged with attempt and conspiracy to provide material support to ISIS and faces a maximum sentence of 15 years.“Three Brooklyn Residents Charged with Attempt and Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” FBI, February 25, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/newyork/press-releases/2015/three-brooklyn-residents-charged-with-attempt-and-conspiracy-to-provide-material-support-to-isil. He pled guilty in August 2015 to conspiring to provide material support to ISIS.Stephanie Clifford, “Brooklyn Man Accused of Supporting ISIS Pleads Guilty,” New York Times, August 14, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/15/nyregion/brooklyn-man-accused-of-supporting-isis-pleads-guilty.html. On October 27, 2017, Juraboev was sentenced to 15 years in prison, the maximum term possible.Jonathan Stempel, “Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 15 Years Prison over Islamic State Support,” Reuters, October 27, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-new-york-security/brooklyn-man-sentenced-to-15-years-prison-over-islamic-state-support-idUSKBN1CW2TN.

Juraboev won a green card in a lottery a few years before his arrest.Joe Jackson, “Terror Suspect Called a Quiet Loner,” Wall Street Journal, February 27, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/terror-suspect-called-a-quiet-loner-1425089215. During the summer of 2014, he began work at a Gyro King restaurant in Brooklyn.Joe Jackson, “Terror Suspect Called a Quiet Loner,” Wall Street Journal, February 27, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/terror-suspect-called-a-quiet-loner-1425089215. Juraboev reportedly attended several mosques in the New York City borough, including the Makki Masjid Muslim Community Center of Brooklyn, the Abu Bakr El Seddique Mosque, and the Belal Masjid.Joe Jackson, “Terror Suspect Called a Quiet Loner,” Wall Street Journal, February 27, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/terror-suspect-called-a-quiet-loner-1425089215. Gyro King owner Zakarya Khan described Juraboev as “devout” and noted Juraboev struggled with English. Khan did not notice any signs of radicalization in Juraboev, but said he became “more withdrawn, more reserved and even more quiet” in the two months prior to his arrest.Joe Jackson, “Terror Suspect Called a Quiet Loner,” Wall Street Journal, February 27, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/terror-suspect-called-a-quiet-loner-1425089215.

According to authorities, Juraboev began posting on an online Uzbeki ISIS message board in August 2014.Joe Jackson, “Terror Suspect Called a Quiet Loner,” Wall Street Journal, February 27, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/terror-suspect-called-a-quiet-loner-1425089215. Juraboev offered to kill President Barack Obama and questioned if that would earn him martyrdom.“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA against ABDURASUL HASANOVICH JURABOEV, also known as “Abdulloh Ibn Hasan,” AKHROR SAIDAKHMETOV, and ABROR HABIBOV, Defendants.,” United States Department of Justice, February 24, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/file/344761/download. He also threatened to bomb Coney Island, New York.“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA against ABDURASUL HASANOVICH JURABOEV, also known as “Abdulloh Ibn Hasan,” AKHROR SAIDAKHMETOV, and ABROR HABIBOV, Defendants.,” United States Department of Justice, February 24, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/file/344761/download. The FBI traced his initial post threatening the president, and set up a months-long undercover operation with a classified informant from one of the mosques Juraboev attended.Joe Jackson, “Terror Suspect Called a Quiet Loner,” Wall Street Journal, February 27, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/terror-suspect-called-a-quiet-loner-1425089215. The FBI built its case based on recorded conversations between the informant, Juraboev, Saidakhmetov, and Habibov, who authorities charged with funding Saidakhmetov’s trip.“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA against ABDURASUL HASANOVICH JURABOEV, also known as “Abdulloh Ibn Hasan,” AKHROR SAIDAKHMETOV, and ABROR HABIBOV, Defendants.,” United States Department of Justice, February 24, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/file/344761/download.

Akhror Saidakhmetov is a 19-year-old would-be foreign fighter who reportedly intended to move to Syria to join ISIS in late February 2015.“Homegrown extremists,” International Security, accessed June 16, 2015, http://securitydata.newamerica.net/extremists/akhror-saidakhmetov.html. A citizen of Kazakhstan, Saidakhmetov lived in Brooklyn, New York while planning his relocation to Syria. Saidakhmetov worked for Abror Habibov, another foreign fighter who owned kiosks in several states that sold kitchenware and repaired cell phones.Jim Piggot and Scott Johnson, “Suspected ISIS terrorist arrested in Jacksonville,” News4Jax, March 7, 2015, http://www.news4jax.com/news/suspected-isis-terrorist-arrested-in-florida/31473910. Habibov agreed to assist Saidakhmetov financially in his pursuit to join ISIS in the fall or winter of 2014.Fred Barbash, “The New York arrests and a Brooklyn mother’s struggle to keep her son away from the Islamic State,” Washington Post, February 26, 2015, http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/02/26/the-new-york-arrests-and-a-brooklyn-mothers-struggle-to-keep-her-son-away-from-the-islamic-state/. Saidakhmetov is currently serving a 15-year federal prison sentence for conspiracy to provide material support to ISIS.“Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment For Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Terrorists,” U.S. Attorney’s Office – Eastern District of New York, December 20, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/brooklyn-man-sentenced-15-years-imprisonment-conspiring-provide-material-support.

Saidakhmetov and his roommate, Abdurasul Juraboev, planned to fly to Istanbul and then Syria to join ISIS. The two men intended to make the trip in late February.Aaron Katersky and Mike Levin, “ISIS: 3 New York men arrested in alleged plot to join terror group, feds say,” ABC News February 25, 2015, http://abcnews.go.com/US/WorldNews/isis-arrested-plot-join-terror-group/story?id=29222291. Saidakhemtov, however, was missing his passport for travel and needed to retrieve it from his mother, who “suspected what he was up to and had taken [it],” according to CBS News.“Men accused of plotting to join ISIS plead not guilty in Brooklyn court,” CBS, March 13, 2015, http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/03/13/men-accused-of-plotting-to-join-isis-due-in-brooklyn-court/. When his mother asked what he needed the passport for, Saidakhmetov admitted that he was going to Syria to join ISIS.Fred Barbash, “The New York arrests and a Brooklyn mother’s struggle to keep her son away from the Islamic State,” Washington Post, February 26, 2015, http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/02/26/the-new-york-arrests-and-a-brooklyn-mothers-struggle-to-keep-her-son-away-from-the-islamic-state/. When she would not return it to him, Saidakhmetov forged travel documents that would allow him to travel without his passport.Chris Perez, Jamie Schram, Larry Celona, and Selim Algar, “3 NYC men charged in plot to join ISIS, kill Obama: feds,” New York Post, February 25, 2015, http://nypost.com/2015/02/25/3-nyc-planning-to-join-isis-taken-into-custody-in-fbi-raid/.

Saidakhmetov was arrested as he attempted to board a flight to Istanbul at JFK airport and was charged with “attempt and conspiracy to provide material support to ISIL,” according to the criminal complaint.“Three Brooklyn, New York, resients charged with attempt and conspiracy to provide material support to ISIL,” United States Department of Justice, February 25, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/three-brooklyn-new-york-residents-charged-attempt-and-conspiracy-provide-material-support. Juraboev was arrested, as he planned to follow Saidakhmetov to Syria the following month, as well as Habibov, who funded both of their trips.Richard Serrano, “3 arrested in U.S, charged with trying to aid Islamic State,” LA Times, February 25, 2015, http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-brooklyn-terror-isis-arrests-20150225-story.html. In March 2015, he pleaded not guilty along with the other two men accused.Stephanie Clifford, “3 Brooklyn men accused of plotting to aid ISIS plead not guity,” New York Times, March 13, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/14/nyregion/3-brooklyn-men-accused-of-plotting-to-aid-isis-plead-not-guilty.html.

Saidakhmetov had previously expressed jihadist tendencies online and to his co-conspirators.Catherine Shoichet, Ed Payne, and Ray Sanchez, “3 men try to join ISIS: here's what we know,” CNN, February 26, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/26/us/new-york-terror-plot-suspects/. He commented on an ISIS video online showing the execution of Iraqi soldiers, writing that it made “[his] eyes joyful.”“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA against ABDURASUL HASANOVICH JURABOEV, also known as “Abdulloh Ibn Hasan,” AKHROR SAIDAKHMETOV, and ABROR HABIBOV, Defendants.,” United States Department of Justice, February 24, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/file/344761/download. He originally planned to join the American military with the intention of providing information to ISIS. If that failed or he was caught, he “could always open fire on American soldiers and kill as many as possible,” according to the criminal complaint.Catherine Shoichet, Ed Payne, and Ray Sanchez, “3 men try to join ISIS: here's what we know,” CNN, February 26, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/26/us/new-york-terror-plot-suspects/. He spoke of purchasing a machine gun to “go out and shoot all police” and attack the FBI.Phillip Swarts, “3 arrested in N.Y, Florida, in plot to join Islamic State,” Washington Times, February 25, 2015, http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/akhror-saidakhmetov/. Saidakhmetov also planned to hijack an airplane on its way to Turkey and fly it to Syria in order to provide ISIS with an airliner.Chris Perez, Jamie Schram, Larry Celona, and Selim Algar, “3 NYC men charged in plot to join ISIS, kill Obama: feds,” New York Post, February 25, 2015, http://nypost.com/2015/02/25/3-nyc-planning-to-join-isis-taken-into-custody-in-fbi-raid/.

On January 19, 2017, Saidakhmetov pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to provide material support to ISIS.“New York Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs, January 19, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-york-man-pleads-guilty-conspiring-provide-material-support-isil. On December 20, 2017, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison, after which he will be deported from the United States.“Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment For Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Terrorists,” U.S. Attorney’s Office – Eastern District of New York, December 20, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/brooklyn-man-sentenced-15-years-imprisonment-conspiring-provide-material-support. He is currently incarcerated at U.S. Penitentiary Hazelton in West Virginia, with a scheduled release date of April 14, 2028.“AKHROR SAIDAKHMETOV,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed March 9, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.

Guled Ali Omar is a Kenyan-born Minnesota man and convicted ISIS conspirator. Omar was arrested on April 18, 2015, and charged with conspiring to provide material support to the terror group.Scott Shane, “6 Minnesotans Held in Plot to Join ISIS,” New York Times, April 20, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/21/us/6-somali-americans-arrested-in-isis-recruiting-case.html?_r=0. He and a group of eight friends had been monitored by the FBI for months as they planned to travel to Syria to fight alongside ISIS.Scott Shane, “6 Minnesotans Held in Plot to Join ISIS,” New York Times, April 20, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/21/us/6-somali-americans-arrested-in-isis-recruiting-case.html?_r=0.

Omar’s brother, Ahmed Ali Omar, left his home in Minnesota in 2007 and traveled to Somalia to join the terror group al-Shabab.Laura Yuen and Sasha Aslanian, “Minnesota pipeline to al-Shabab,” MPR News, September 25, 2013, http://minnesota.publicradio.org/projects/ongoing/somali_timeline/. Ahmed is believed to remain at large in Somalia.Scott Shane, “6 Minnesotans Held in Plot to Join ISIS,” New York Times, April 20, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/21/us/6-somali-americans-arrested-in-isis-recruiting-case.html?_r=0.

On October 21, 2015, Omar was charged with a new count of conspiracy to commit murder outside the United States.Associated Press, “Superseding indictment has new details in ISIL case,” Kare 11, October 21, 2015, http://www.kare11.com/story/news/crime/2015/10/21/superseding-indictment-has-new-details-in-isil-case/74357926/. Prosecutors alleged in April of 2016 that Omar had conspired to build a route from Mexico to the United States through which to smuggle ISIS assailants. According to prosecutors, Omar had planned to urge ISIS members to send operatives through the route in order to execute attacks in the United States.William Watkinson, “Isis recruiters planned on open jihadi smuggling route from Syria through Mexico into US,” International Business Times, April 22, 2016, http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/isis-recruiters-planned-open-jihadi-smuggling-route-syria-through-mexico-into-us-1556317.

In early June of 2016, Omar 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. He was found guilty alongside co-conspirators Abdurahman Yasin Daud and Mohamed Abdihamid Farah.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/. Later in the month, attorneys for Daud and Omar filed to have their clients assessed for placement in a deradicalization and rehabilitation program.Lara Yuen, “2 men convicted on ISIS-related charges ask for rehabilitation,” Minnesota Public Radio, June 30, 2016, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/06/30/two-men-convicted-isis-related-charges-seek-rehabilitation-deradicalization. In July, U.S. District Court Judge Michael Davis denied Omar’s request for German terrorism expert David Koehler to assess Omar’s risk and possibly recommend “intervention needs.”MPR News Staff, “2 guilty in Minnesota ISIS trial denied deradicalization review,” MPR News, July 5, 2013, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/07/05/isis-defendants-minnesota-barred-de-radicalization-program.

On November 16, 2016, U.S. District Judge Michael Davis sentenced Omar to 35 years in prison—the harshest sentence among the group of co-conspirators. As he awaited his sentence, Omar told the court through tears, “I understand the seriousness of what I’ve been convicted of, and I understand that I will not be able to go home anytime soon. I always had energy for justice as a young man but I lost my way.”Laura Yuen and Doualy Xaykaothao, “Judge sentences three men to decades in prison in ISIS trial,” November 16, 2016, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/11/16/third-day-of-isis-trial. In response, prosecutor Andrew Winter told the court that Omar’s statement could not be trusted, and that, “Only when backed into a corner, does [Omar] attempt to offer false contrition. You can’t fix manipulative. You can’t fix deceitful. And you can’t fix Guled Omar.”Laura Yuen and Doualy Xaykaothao, “Judge sentences three men to decades in prison in ISIS trial,” November 16, 2016, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/11/16/third-day-of-isis-trial. In media reports of his sentencing, Omar was described as a one-time leader of the Minnesotan ISIS cell.Associated Press, “Leader of Minnesota 'terrorist cell' gets 35 years in jail for plot to join ISIS,” Fox News, November 16, 2016, http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/11/16/leader-minnesota-terrorist-cell-gets-35-years-in-jail-for-plot-to-join-isis.html.

Among the individuals tried as part of the ISIS recruitment cell were co-conspirators Abdurahman Yasin Daud, Mohamed Abdihamid Farah, Hanad Mustafe Musse, Adnan Farah, Zacharia Yusuf Abdurahman, Abdullahi Yusuf, Hamza Naj Ahmed, and Abdirizak Warsame.

Omar is currently incarcerated at Leavenworth United States Penitentiary in Kansas, with a scheduled release date of March 25, 2045.“GULED ALI OMAR,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed April 11, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.

Adnan Farah is Minnesotaa Somali-American and convicted ISIS supporter. On April 18, 2015, he was charged alongside his 21-year-old brother Mohamed Abdihamid Farah with conspiring to provide material support to ISIS. He and his brother are part of a group of nine Minnesota-based friends who attempted to join the terror group in Syria.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.

Adnan applied for a U.S. passportLaura Yuen and Mukhtar Ibrahim, “For mothers of terrorism suspects, nothing but sorrow,” MPR News, April 23, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/23/for-moms-of-terror-suspects-nothing-but-sorrow. in April 2014, citing that he intended to travel to China. His parents confiscated his passport, fearing that he would leave without notice.Laura Yuen and Mukhtar Ibrahim, “Feds charge six Minnesotans with trying to join ISIS,” MPR News, April 20, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/20/6-charged-with-trying-to-join-isis. According to the criminal complaint, Adnan was determined to travel to Syria to join ISIS. He discussed these plans with his brother Mohamed, and conspired to obtain fake passports and travel to Syria.Laura Yuen and Mukhtar Ibrahim, “Feds charge six Minnesotans with trying to join ISIS,” MPR News, April 20, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/20/6-charged-with-trying-to-join-isis.

Adnan expressed his admiration for extremist activities on his Facebook page, where he posted a photo of Anwar al-Awlaki, a Yemeni-American cleric and al-Qaeda propagandist who was killed in a drone strike in 2011.Scott Shane, “6 Minnesotans Held in Plot to Join ISIS,” New York Times, April 20, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/21/us/6-somali-americans-arrested-in-isis-recruiting-case.html?_r=0. Adnan posted photos of the black flag emblazoned in Arabic that is regularly connected to jihadists, as well as a photo of a man holding a sniper rifle and a banner that read, “Among the believers are men who have been true to the covenant with Allah.”Laura Yuen and Mukhtar Ibrahim, “Feds charge six Minnesotans with trying to join ISIS,” MPR News, April 20, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/20/6-charged-with-trying-to-join-isis.

After being evaluated by German terrorism expert Daniel Koehler while in custody, Farah was determined in September of 2016 to pose a medium to high risk of re-offending.Esme Murphy, “German Expert: U.S. Way Behind In Terrorism De-Radicalization,” CBS Minnesota, September 21, 2016, http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2016/09/21/deradicalization-expert/. Koehler recommended that Farah receive a reduced sentence and counseling.Esme Murphy, “German Expert: U.S. Way Behind In Terrorism De-Radicalization,” CBS Minnesota, September 21, 2016, http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2016/09/21/deradicalization-expert/.

On November 15, 2016, U.S. District Judge Michael Davis sentenced Farah to 10 years in prison and 20 years of supervised release. Farah expressed his thanks to the authorities who arrested him, saying, “If it wasn’t for them, maybe I wouldn’t be here today.” Farah also told the court that ISIS’s ideology leads to an “identity crisis,” and warned that “there’s kids [sic] going through this now.”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.

American-born Abdullah Yusuf is a convicted would-be foreign fighter for ISIS. He is the child of immigrants from SomaliaPeter Sullivan, Two Minnesota men charged with aiding ISIS,” Hill, November 25, 2014, http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/225305-two-minnesota-men-charged-with-aiding-isis. and grew up in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota.Peter Sullivan, Two Minnesota men charged with aiding ISIS,” Hill, November 25, 2014, http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/225305-two-minnesota-men-charged-with-aiding-isis. On May 28, 2014, Yusuf reportedly sought to travel from Minnesota to Turkey but was intercepted at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport by the FBI.Ed Payne, “More Americans volunteering to help ISIS,” CNN, March 5, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/05/us/isis-us-arrests/.

In November of 2014, Yusuf pled guilty at a Minneapolis federal court to one count of conspiracy to provide material assistance to ISIS.“Two Minnesotans Charged with Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant,” FBI: Minneapolis Division, November 24, 2014, https://www.fbi.gov/minneapolis/press-releases/2014/two-minnesotans-charged-with-conspiracy-to-provide-material-support-to-the-islamic-state-of-iraq-and-the-levant.

Yusuf was sentenced by a judge to a halfway house, where he followed a strict regimen aimed at reintegrating him into American society. Although 40-odd de-radicalization programs exist worldwide, this experiment was hailed as the inaugural test case in the United States for “turning” a young person under prosecution away from extremist Islamist ideology.Miriam Jordan and Tamara Audi, “A Test Case for ‘Deradicalization,’” Wall Street Journal, November 6, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-test-case-for-deradicalization-1430944585?alg=y.

As part of the program, Yusuf was introduced to the texts of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcom X, and the U.S. Constitution, and participated in courses promoting civic involvement through a nonprofit organization called Heartland Democracy, whose curriculum has been dubbed “Empowering U.”“Minnesota Terror Suspect To Be Released To Halfway House,” CBS Minnesota, January 27, 2015, http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/01/27/minnesota-terror-suspect-to-be-released-to-halfway-house/. As part of the curriculum, Yusuf also discussed philosophy with a counselor, fellow Somali-American Ahmed Amin.Miriam Jordan and Tamara Audi, “A Test Case for ‘Deradicalization,’” Wall Street Journal, November 6, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-test-case-for-deradicalization-1430944585?alg=y. The experiment was cut short, however, after a box cutter was found under Yusuf’s bed. Yusuf was ordered back to jail in April 2015.Miriam Jordan and Tamara Audi, “A Test Case for ‘Deradicalization,’” Wall Street Journal, November 6, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-test-case-for-deradicalization-1430944585?alg=y; Esme Murphy, “Terror Suspect Released To Halfway House Kept Box Cutter Under Bed,” CBS Minnesota, July 6, 2015, http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/07/06/terror-suspect-released-to-halfway-house-kept-box-cutter-under-bed/.

On November 14, 2016, Yusuf—who had spent 21 months in custody and cooperated with authorities—was sentenced to time served with 20 years of supervised release. Yusuf will reportedly be placed in a halfway house, where he will live for up to one year with electronic monitoring.Associated Press, “Cooperation Results in Light Sentences in Islamic State Case,” New York Times, November 14, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/11/14/us/ap-us-islamic-state-americans-minnesota.html?_r=1; “No additional prison time for Minnesota ISIS recruit Abdullahi Yusuf,” Fox 9 News, November 14, 2016, http://www.fox9.com/news/217391737-story. Yusuf apologized to the court, saying that he no longer believed in ISIS’s ideology, and that he was “alive today…because I was stopped at the airport.”“No additional prison time for Minnesota ISIS recruit Abdullahi Yusuf,” Fox 9 News, November 14, 2016, http://www.fox9.com/news/217391737-story.

Hanad Mustafe Musse is an American citizen of Somali origin and convicted would-be member of ISIS.Scott Shane, “6 Minnesotans Held in Plot to Join ISIS,” New York Times, April 20, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/21/us/6-somali-americans-arrested-in-isis-recruiting-case.html?_r=0. On April 19, 2015, Musse was arrested in Minneapolis and charged with conspiring to travel to join ISIS. He was taken into custody with Mohamed Abdihamid Farah, Adnan Farah, Abdurahman Yasin Daud, Zacharia Yusuf Abdurahman, and Guled Ali Omar, all Somali-Americans living in Minnesota.Laura Yuen and Mukhtar Ibrahim, “Feds charge six Minnesotans with trying to join ISIS,” MPR News, April 20, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/20/6-charged-with-trying-to-join-isis.

Also charged in the case were Hamza Naj Ahmed, Abdullahi Yusuf, and Abdirizak Warsame, the last of whom is believed to have acted as the group’s ringleader. One of the defendants’ associates, Abdiwali Nur, is believed to have successfully joined ISIS in Syria in May 2014.“United States of America v. Abdirizak Mohamed Warsame,” U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, December 9, 2015, 8, http://kstp.com/kstpImages/repository/cs/files/WarsameComplaint.pdf.

Between November 6 and November 8, 2014, Musse attempted to take a bus from Minnesota to New York City, where he planned to leave from John F. Kennedy (JFK) airport and travel to Greece and then Syria.“Six Minnesota Men Charged with Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant,” April 20, 2015, United State Department of Justice, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/six-minnesota-men-charged-conspiracy-provide-material-support-islamic-state-iraq-and-levant. He was stopped at JFK airport by federal agents. When interviewed, Musse told the agents that he was traveling to Greece to “chill,” and that he didn’t know anyone there, according to a report by Minnesota Public Radio.“Six Minnesota Men Charged with Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant,” April 20, 2015, United State Department of Justice, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/six-minnesota-men-charged-conspiracy-provide-material-support-islamic-state-iraq-and-levant.

In February 2015, recorded phone conversations revealed Musse and his co-conspirators discussing further plans to leave the United States and join ISIS, this time possibly via Mexico. Musse was in the process of obtaining a fake passport when his father confronted him, forcing Musse to halt his travel plans.Laura Yuen and Mukhtar Ibrahim, “Feds charge six Minnesotans with trying to join ISIS,” MPR News, April 20, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/20/6-charged-with-trying-to-join-isis.

Following his April 2015 arrest, Musse faced terrorism charges as well as charges of financial fraud for allegedly using his college financial aid money to purchase the airline tickets to Greece.Paul McEnroe, “Fraud charges added to ISIL terrorism case against 2 Twin Cities men,” Star Tribune, May 19, 2015, http://www.startribune.com/fraud-charges-added-to-terrorism-case-against-2-twin-cities-men/304258871/. On September 9, 2015, Musse pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Two other charges were dropped as part of his plea deal.“Minnesota man accused of plotting to join ISIS pleads guilty,” CBS News, September 9, 2015, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/minnesota-man-accused-of-plotting-to-join-isis-pleads-guilty/. In March 2016, Minnesotan U.S. District Judge Michael Davis ordered that Musse—alongside Abdurahman, Warsame, and Yusuf—be evaluated for a de-radicalization program.Stephen Montemayor and Mila Koumpilova, “Terror suspects will test deradicalization program,” Star Tribune, March 2, 2016, http://www.startribune.com/judge-orders-de-radicalization-study-for-4-terror-defendants/370806141/. German terrorism expert Daniel Koehler determined that Musse was at a high risk for reoffending.Esme Murphy, “German Expert: U.S. Way Behind In Terrorism De-Radicalization,” CBS Minnesota, September 21, 2016, http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2016/09/21/deradicalization-expert/.

On November 15, 2016, Musse was sentenced to 10 years in prison by Judge Michael Davis. When asked directly if he was a terrorist, Musse responded, “I am a terrorist, your honor.”Associated Press, “Minnesota Man Tells Judge, ‘I am a Terrorist,’ Gets 10 Years,” New York Times, November 15, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/11/15/us/ap-us-islamic-state-americans-minnesota.html?_r=1.

American-born Mohammed Hamzah Khan is a convicted would-be foreign fighter for ISIS. Khan was arrested in October 2014 at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport when members of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force intercepted him and his siblings seeking to fly to Istanbul.Kevin Sullivan, “Three American teens, recruited online, are caught trying to join Islamic State,” Washington Post, December 8, 2014, http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/three-american-teens-recruited-online-are-caught-trying-to-join-the-islamic-state/2014/12/08/8022e6c4-7afb-11e4-84d4-7c896b90abdc_story.html. Khan and his siblings—minors whose names have not been released by authorities—intended to enter Turkey and cross the border into Syria to join ISIS.“Federal Grand Jury Indicts Mohammed Hamzah Khan for Allegedly Attempting to Support Terrorism Overseas,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, January 9, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/federal-grand-jury-indicts-mohammed-hamzah-khan-allegedly-attempting-support-terrorism. Khan pled guilty in October 2015 to one count of attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization.Jason Meisner, “Bolingbrook man pleads guilty to terrorism charge,” Chicago Tribune, October 29, 2015, http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-terror-case-bolingbrook-man-plea-20151029-story.html. In November 2016, he was sentenced to 40 months in prison with 20 years of “intensive” supervised release, according to the Department of Justice.“Illinois Man Sentenced to 40 Months in Federal Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 18, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/illinois-man-sentenced-40-months-federal-prison-attempting-provide-material-support-isil.

According to U.S. authorities, Khan communicated with ISIS operatives over the internet in order to assist him with traveling to Syria.“Illinois Man Sentenced to 40 Months in Federal Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 18, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/illinois-man-sentenced-40-months-federal-prison-attempting-provide-material-support-isil. Following Khan’s October 2014 arrest, the FBI gathered letters, notebooks, and diaries from the Kahn family residence where he had lived.Jethro Mullen and Ted Rowlands, “Who is Mohammed Hamzah Khan,” CNN, October 7, 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/07/us/who-is-mohammed-hamzah-khan/. Some of the evidence contained text promoting ISIS and criticizing the West, primarily the United States and its “national defense.”“Letter prosecutors say Mohammed Hamzah Khan wrote to his parents,” Chicago Tribune, November 3, 2014, http://www.chicagotribune.com/chi-letter-prosecutors-say-mohammed-hamzah-khan-wrote-to-his-parents-20141103-htmlstory.html. In a letter Khan left for his parents before his attempted to fly to Turkey, he wrote, “Western societies are getting more immoral day by day. I do not want my children to be exposed to this filth.”Michael Walsh and Bill Hutchinson, “Illinois man busted trying to join ISIS left letter behind for parents: FBI,” New York Daily News, October 7, 2014, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/illinois-man-charged-join-isis-overseas-fbi-article-1.1964946.

Khan’s family, friends, and neighbors were reportedly stunned by his actions.Jethro Mullen and Ted Rowlands, “Who is Mohammed Hamzah Khan,” CNN, October 7, 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/07/us/who-is-mohammed-hamzah-khan/. One of the Khan’s neighbors Steve Moore stated, “[Mohammed was] very polite. Seems normal, normal family.”Eric Horng, “Bolingbrook Man Faces Terrorism Charges, Allegedly Tried Join ISIS,” ABC 7 Eyewitness News, October 6, 2014, http://abc7chicago.com/news/bolingbrook-man-arrested-allegedly-tried-to-join-isis/338672/. Khan was studying computer science and engineering at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois and volunteered at his local mosque.Kevin Sullivan, “Three American teens, recruited online, are caught trying to join Islamic State,” Washington Post, December 8, 2014, http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/three-american-teens-recruited-online-are-caught-trying-to-join-the-islamic-state/2014/12/08/8022e6c4-7afb-11e4-84d4-7c896b90abdc_story.html.> A fellow mosque member, Bahauddin Ali Khan, told reporters, “[Mohammed’s] the last person that you’d think that would happen to.”Eric Horng, “Bolingbrook Man Faces Terrorism Charges, Allegedly Tried Join ISIS,” ABC 7 Eyewitness News, October 6, 2014, http://abc7chicago.com/news/bolingbrook-man-arrested-allegedly-tried-to-join-isis/338672/.

While Khan’s parents admitted to raising their children in a protective environment, they told the Washington Post in December 2014 that their children behaved “like any other normal American family.”Kevin Sullivan, “Three American teens, recruited online, are caught trying to join Islamic State,” Washington Post, December 8, 2014, http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/three-american-teens-recruited-online-are-caught-trying-to-join-the-islamic-state/2014/12/08/8022e6c4-7afb-11e4-84d4-7c896b90abdc_story.html. Khan’s mother, Zarine Khan, has claimed that her children are victims of extremist propaganda, and has condemned what she called extremist groups’ “recruiting” and “brainwashing” tactics.“Mom to Terrorist Groups: Leave Our Children Alone,” NBC Chicago, January 13, 2015, http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Mohammed-Hamzah-Khan-288401591.html.

As part of Khan’s supervised release, the Department of Justice will demand that Khan participate in a mental health treatment program, attend “violent extremism counseling,” and comply with a computer monitoring program, among other requirements.“Illinois Man Sentenced to 40 Months in Federal Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, November 18, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/illinois-man-sentenced-40-months-federal-prison-attempting-provide-material-support-isil.

According to court documents, New York-based Mufid Elfgeeh sought to facilitate the travel of jihadists to join ISIS in Syria. He also purchased firearms and a silencer, allegedly with the intent to carry out violent attacks against U.S. military servicemen.“Rochester Man Indicted on Charges of Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS, Attempting to Kill U.S. Soldiers, and Possession of Firearms and Silencers,” FBI, September 16, 2014, https://www.fbi.gov/buffalo/press-releases/2014/rochester-man-indicted-on-charges-of-attempting-to-provide-material-support-to-isis-attempting-to-kill-u.s.-soldiers-and-possession-of-firearms-and-silencers. He lived in Rochester, New York, while planning these activities.“Rochester, N.Y., man charged with trying to help Islamic State,” Reuters, September 17, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/17/us-usa-crime-islamicstate-idUSKBN0HC01320140917.

Elfgeeh was arrested in late March 2014. He has since been charged on seven counts, including three counts of attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS. The seven charges against Elfgeeh also include one count of attempting to murder U.S. military servicemen, one count of possessing firearms with a silencer to further a violent crime, and two counts of possessing illegal firearm silencers.“Rochester Man Indicted on Charges of Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS, Attempting to Kill U.S. Soldiers, and Possession of Firearms and Silencers,” FBI, September 16, 2014, https://www.fbi.gov/buffalo/press-releases/2014/rochester-man-indicted-on-charges-of-attempting-to-provide-material-support-to-isis-attempting-to-kill-u.s.-soldiers-and-possession-of-firearms-and-silencers.

Elfgeeh is a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Yemen. He owned a pizza shop in Rochester, New York.Gary Craig, “Rochester terrorist Mufid Elfgeeh guilty of recruiting for ISIS,” Democrat & Chronicle, December 17, 2016, http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2015/12/17/alleged-terrorist-scheduled-plea-mufid-elfgeeh/77471906/.

Elfgeeh pled guilty to “attempting to provide material support” to ISIS through the recruitment of a local man and a man from Yemen in December 2015. He agreed to a 22 ½-year sentence as part of a plea agreement. Gary Craig, “Rochester terrorist Mufid Elfgeeh guilty of recruiting for ISIS,” Democrat & Chronicle, December 17, 2016, http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2015/12/17/alleged-terrorist-scheduled-plea-mufid-elfgeeh/77471906/. Elfgeeh received the sentence on March 17, 2016. It is the harshest sentence to date for somebody convicted of providing material support to ISIS.Gary Craig, “Local terrorist Mufid Elfgeeh gets 22 years,” Democrat & Chronicle, March 17, 2016, http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2016/03/17/mufid-elfgeeh-sentenced-isis-isil-islamic-state-recruiting-rochester/81901794/.

Abdiwali Nur, a former resident of Minnesota, is believed have died while fighting for ISIS in Syria. Nur is believed to have traveled from Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, to Syria via Turke in May of 2014.Ed Payne, “More Americans volunteering to help ISIS,” CNN, March 5, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/05/us/isis-us-arrests/.

According to the criminal complaint and documents filed in court, while in Syria Nur sent messages via Facebook to contacts in the United States claiming that he had gone “to the brothers,” and that “[we] will see each other in the afterlife inshallah.”Peter Sullivan, Two Minnesota men charged with aiding ISIS,” Hill, November 25, 2014, http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/225305-two-minnesota-men-charged-with-aiding-isis.

In November 2014, a Minneapolis federal court charged Nur in absentia with conspiring to aid ISIS.Ed Payne, “More Americans volunteering to help ISIS,” CNN, March 5, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/05/us/isis-us-arrests/.

A June 2016 trial found Nur’s co-conspirators, Guled Ali Omar, Abdurahman Yasin Daud, and Mohamed Abdihamid Farah guilty. During the trial, an FBI officer alleged that Nur’s relative, Mohamad Roble, had traveled to Syria in October 2014.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/.

Nur’s travel to Syria is believed to have inspired nine of his Minnesota-based friends—Abdullahi Yusuf, Abdirizak Warsame, Zacharia Yusuf Abdurahim, Adnan Farah, Hanad Mustafe Musse, Hamza Naj Ahmed, Guled Ali Omar, Abdirahman Yasin Daud, Mohamed Abdihamid Farah—to conspire to provide material support to ISIS. Many of them attempted to travel to ISIS-controlled territory to join the terror group.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.