Carlos Eduardo Almonte, a.k.a. Omar, is a convert to Islam, convicted Islamic extremist, and would-be foreign fighter for al-Shabaab. He planned to join the Somali-based terror group alongside his friend Mohamed Hamoud Alessa. The two men were arrested in June 2010 as they attempted to board separate international flights from John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York. In April 2013, Almonte was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Alessa received a greater sentence of 22 years.“Two New Jersey Men Sentenced To Decades In Prison For Conspiring To Kill Overseas With Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization Al Shabaab,” U.S. Department of Justice, April 15, 2013, https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/two-new-jersey-men-sentenced-decades-prison-conspiring-kill-overseas-designated-foreign;
“FBI followed every move of two N.J. terror suspects for years, culminating in airport arrests,” NJ.com, June 13, 2010, http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/authorities_followed_every_mov.html.

In 2004, while in high school, Almonte was arrested several times on charges related to weapons, assault, and underage drinking. According to Almonte’s family, it was around that time that he converted to Islam, adopting the name Omar.Kareem Fahim, Richard Perez-Pena, and Karen Zraick, “From Wayward Teenagers to Terror Suspects,” New York Times, June 11, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/12/nyregion/12suspects.html.

The FBI began investigating Almonte and Alessa—both residents of New Jersey—in October 2006 after agents received a tip from a member of the public. The individual warned that Almonte and Alessa were accessing extremist content online, and “[kept] saying that Americans are their enemies, that everybody other than Islamic followers are their enemies, and they all must be killed.”“FBI followed every move of two N.J. terror suspects for years, culminating in airport arrests,” NJ.com, June 13, 2010, http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/authorities_followed_every_mov.html. In a search of Almonte’s computer in 2007, FBI agents found content authored by Osama bin Laden and his then-deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri.“FBI followed every move of two N.J. terror suspects for years, culminating in airport arrests,” NJ.com, June 13, 2010, http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/authorities_followed_every_mov.html. After uncovering that material, the FBI launched a full-force investigation on the men called “Operation Arabian Knight.”“FBI followed every move of two N.J. terror suspects for years, culminating in airport arrests,” NJ.com, June 13, 2010, http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/authorities_followed_every_mov.html.

Almonte and Alessa began planning their travel to Somalia while under FBI surveillance. In order to prepare for their trip, the pair saved thousands of dollars and underwent physical training including running, lifting weights, and engaging in paintball fights. They also reportedly acquired “tactical clothing, hydration systems, knives, night-vision optics,” according to the U.S. Department of Justice.“TWO NEW JERSEY MEN PLEAD GUILTY TO CONSPIRING TO KILL OVERSEAS FOR DESIGNATED FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION AL SHABAAB,” U.S. Department of Justice, March 3, 2011.

During this time, Almonte and Alessa acquired, watched, and disseminated extremist content including audio and video materials produced by al-Qaeda, al-Shabaab, and other terrorist groups.

Both men reportedly viewed and listened to audio lectures and videos of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who was killed in a targeted U.S. drone strike in Yemen in 2011. The men reportedly shared Awlaki’s videos with an undercover FBI agent. William K. Rashbaum “Two Arrested at Kennedy Airport on Terror Charges,” New York Times, June 6, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/nyregion/07terror.html?src=mv. The pair is also believed to have supported Revolution Muslim, a group and website founded by U.S. extremist Jesse Morton. Morton was interviewed by investigators from the New York City police on the day after Almonte and Alessa’s arrest in June 2010, according to court documents.“Statement of Facts: United States of America v. Jesse Curtis Morton, defendant,” U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 19. Morton pled guilty in February 2012 to conspiring to solicit murder and using the Internet “to place others in fear.”“Leader of Revolution Muslim Pleads Guilty to Using Internet to Solicit Murder and Encourage Violent Extremism,” FBI, February 9, 2012, https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/washingtondc/press-releases/2012/leader-of-revolution-muslim-pleads-guilty-to-using-internet-to-solicit-murder-and-encourage-violent-extremism.

In preparation for Almonte and Alessa’s arrest, the FBI coordinated with multiple U.S. bodies including the State Department and the Transportation Security Agency. On June 5, 2010, the day of the arrest, FBI agents dressed as civilians tracked both Almonte and Alessa at their homes, during transit to the airport, and finally at JFK. Both men planned to fly to Egypt, from where they would travel on to Somalia. After going through security, Almonte and Alessa were arrested and charged with conspiring to commit an act of international terrorism.Associated Press, “Two New Jersey men arrested on route to join jihadist group in Somalia,” NY Daily News, June 6, 2010, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/new-jersey-men-arrested-route-join-jihadist-group-somalia-article-1.179245;
“FBI followed every move of two N.J. terror suspects for years, culminating in airport arrests,” NJ.com, June 13, 2010, http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/authorities_followed_every_mov.html.

In March 2013, both men pled guilty to conspiring to murder persons outside the United States on behalf of designated Foreign Terrorist Organization al-Shabaab.“TWO NEW JERSEY MEN PLEAD GUILTY TO CONSPIRING TO KILL OVERSEAS FOR DESIGNATED FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION AL SHABAAB,” U.S. Department of Justice, March 3, 2011. Almonte was sentenced to 20 years in prison in April 2013.“Two New Jersey Men Sentenced To Decades In Prison For Conspiring To Kill Overseas With Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization Al Shabaab,” U.S. Department of Justice, April 15, 2013, https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/two-new-jersey-men-sentenced-decades-prison-conspiring-kill-overseas-designated-foreign.

U.S. citizen Bryant Neal Vinas is a convert to Islam and a convicted foreign fighter for al-Qaeda who went on to become a cooperating witness in U.S. investigations of the terror group. In September 2008, Vinas participated in al-Qaeda attacks against U.S. Army bases in Afghanistan in order to kill U.S. soldiers. He was arrested in Peshawar, Pakistan, in November 2008, and transferred to U.S. custody. In January 2009, he pled guilty in a New York federal court to conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals, providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, and receiving military-type training from a foreign terrorist organization.“One American's journey from Long Island to al Qaeda,” CNN, accessed August 17, 2018, http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/05/11/timeline.bryant.vinas/index.html; “Sealed Pages of Transcript Proceedings,” Nicholas G. Garaufis, U.S.D.J., January 28, 2009, p. 31; Paul Cruickshank, Nic Robertson and Ken Shiffman, “From Long Island to Lahore: The plot to bomb New York,” CNN, May 21, 2010, http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/05/14/bryant.neal.vinas.part2/index.html. While incarcerated, Vinas cooperated with U.S. authorities and provided helpful intelligence and insights into al-Qaeda that allowed the government to disrupt the terror group’s operations. He was released from federal prison in 2017.Adam Goldman, “Service to Both Al Qaeda and U.S., With Fate Hanging in the Balance,” New York Times, May 15, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/15/us/politics/service-to-both-al-qaeda-and-us-and-a-fate-hanging-in-the-balance.html. U.S. prosecutors have called Vinas the “single most valuable cooperating witness” in disrupting al-Qaeda operations.Adam Goldman, “Service to Both Al Qaeda and the U.S., With Fate Hanging in the Balance,” New York Times, May 15, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/15/us/politics/service-to-both-al-qaeda-and-us-and-a-fate-hanging-in-the-balance.html?module=inline.

Directly after high school, Vinas enlisted in the U.S. Army, though he spent just one month in boot camp between March 12, 2002, and April 11, 2002, before he quit and was ultimately discharged. Following his discharge, Vinas was reportedly dispirited and became inquisitive of Islam, leading him to read the Quran and study the Arabic language. He eventually converted to Islam at a mosque in Queens, New York.Paul Cruickshank, Nic Robertson, and Ken Shiffman, “The Radicalization of an all-American,” CNN, May 15, 2010, http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/05/13/bryant.neal.vinas.part1/; Sebastian Rotella And Josh Meyer, “U.S.-born militant who fought for Al Qaeda is in custody,” Los Angeles Times, July 23, 2009, http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jul/23/nation/na-american-jihad23; Adam Goldman, “He Turned on Al Qaeda and Aided the U.S. Now He’s on Food Stamps and Needs a Job,” New York Times, March 6, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/06/us/politics/bryant-neal-vinas-terrorism-cooperation-fbi-witness-protection.html.

Vinas was largely self-radicalized on the Internet, according to U.S. authorities.William K. Rashbaum and Souad Mekhennet, “L.I. Man Helped Qaeda, Then Informed,” New York Times, July 22, 2009, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/23/nyregion/23terror.html?hp&_r=0. When Vinas began to attend mosques in the greater New York City area, he befriended Ahmad Zarinni, who allegedly introduced him to the now-defunct Islamic Thinkers Society (ITS). ITS was a reported spin-off of the banned British group al-Muhajiroun, cofounded by convicted ISIS supporter Anjem Choudary. Vinas was increasingly influenced by hardliner individuals including Joseph Leonard Cohen (a.k.a. Yousef al-Khattab), the main ideologue of ITS and cofounder of the website and extremist group Revolution Muslim, led by Jesse Morton (a.k.a. Younes Abdullah Muhammad) at that time. Vinas also met a Pakistani man, Ahmer Qayyum, through ITS circles.“One American's journey from Long Island to al Qaeda,” CNN, accessed August 17, 2018, http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/05/11/timeline.bryant.vinas/index.html; “Sealed Pages of Transcript Proceedings,” Nicholas G. Garaufis, U.S.D.J., January 28, 2009, p. 31; “Zachary Chesser’s Radical Affiliations,” Start UMD, accessed August 17, 2018, https://www.start.umd.edu/sites/default/files/files/publications/research_briefs/ChesserLinkAnalysis.pdf; “Arrest of British Islamic radicals might spur attacks against Western targets,” Trib Live, September 27, 2014, http://triblive.com/usworld/nation/6868018-74/group-islamic-british; James Taranto, “The Making - and Unmaking - of a Jihadist,” Wall Street Journal, May 4, 2018, https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-makingand-unmakingof-a-jihadist-1525472372.

Vinas flew to Pakistan in September 2007 with the intention of joining a jihadist group to fight U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.“One American's journey from Long Island to al Qaeda,” CNN, accessed August 17, 2018, http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/05/11/timeline.bryant.vinas/index.html. Vinas later told the New York Times that he had become estranged from his family and had fallen on economic hardship, both of which contributed to his decision to go abroad to join al-Qaeda. He said he believed that he had a moral duty to defend Muslims by joining the war in Afghanistan.Adam Goldman, “He Turned on Al Qaeda and Aided the U.S. Now He’s on Food Stamps and Needs a Job,” New York Times, March 6, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/06/us/politics/bryant-neal-vinas-terrorism-cooperation-fbi-witness-protection.html.

Vinas met Qayyum in Lahore, who connected him to unaffiliated militants fighting on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, according to U.S. officials. They attempted to carry out an attack against a U.S. base in Afghanistan, but aborted the plan after they saw U.S. aircrafts patrolling the area. Following this incident, Vinas vowed to become a suicide bomber for al-Qaeda and returned to Peshawar for training. Between 2007 and 2008, Vinas made several trips to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and officially pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda in March 2008. Throughout 2008, Vinas attended three al-Qaeda training courses in the mountains of Waziristan, including training in the construction of explosives.“One American's journey from Long Island to al Qaeda,” CNN, accessed August 17, 2018, http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/05/11/timeline.bryant.vinas/index.html. He met senior al-Qaeda leaders, including financial chief Mustafa Abu al-Yazid (a.k.a. Abu Saeed al-Masri) and Saleh al-Somali, then head of al-Qaeda’s external operations and planner of the 2009 foiled New York City subway attack.“Senior al Qaeda leader killed in Pakistan,” Reuters, August 12, 2008, https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSP48519; Eric Schmitt, “American Strike Is Said to Kill a Top Qaeda,” New York Times, May 31, 2010, https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/world/asia/01qaeda.html; U.S. Department of Justice/Office of Public Affairs, “Al Qaeda Operative Convicted by Jury in One of the Most Serious Terrorist Plots Against America since 9/11,” May 1, 2012, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/al-qaeda-operative-convicted-jury-one-most-serious-terrorist-plots-against-america-911. According to Vinas’s own statements, he provided information to the terror group about the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) in order to help plan an attack on New York’s Penn Station.“One American's journey from Long Island to al Qaeda,” CNN, accessed September 2, 2016, http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/05/11/timeline.bryant.vinas/index.html; Adam Goldman, “Service to Both Al Qaeda and U.S., With Fate Hanging in the Balance,” New York Times, May 15, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/15/us/politics/service-to-both-al-qaeda-and-us-and-a-fate-hanging-in-the-balance.html. He also suggested attacking one of the United States’ largest retail chains, Walmart. He conspired to hide explosives in large products that could be returned to the store, such as television sets.Paul Cruickshank, Nic Robertson, and Ken Shiffman, “The Radicalization of an all-American,” CNN, May 15, 2010, http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/05/13/bryant.neal.vinas.part1/.

Vinas later recalled that he suffered from “terrible boredom” while living with al-Qaeda waiting for a mission.Bryant Neal Vinas and Mitchell Silber, “Al-Qa`ida’s First American Foreign Fighter after 9/11,” CTC Sentinel, September 2018, https://ctc.usma.edu/al-qaidas-first-american-foreign-fighter-9-11/. In September 2008, Vinas participated in two al-Qaeda attacks against U.S. military bases in Afghanistan near the Pakistan border. According to Vinas, he and other militants aborted the first mission. In the second attack, occurring a few days later, Vinas fired rockets on a U.S. military base. The rockets reportedly missed their intended target, and, according to Vinas, the “attack failed.”“Sealed Pages of Transcript Proceedings,” Nicholas G. Garaufis, U.S.D.J., January 28, 2009, p. 31.

The following month, Vinas traveled to Peshawar to find a wife. He was arrested there by Pakistani authorities and transferred to the control of the United States. U.S. authorities charged Vinas with conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals, providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, and receiving military-type training from a foreign terrorist organization.“One American's journey from Long Island to al Qaeda,” CNN, accessed September 2, 2016, http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/05/11/timeline.bryant.vinas/index.html. He pled guilty to all charges in a federal court on January 29, 2009.“One American's journey from Long Island to al Qaeda,” CNN, accessed September 2, 2016, http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/05/11/timeline.bryant.vinas/index.html.

In April 2012, Vinas revealed that he had been inspired by the lectures of Anwar al-Awlaki, the deceased cleric of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Vinas made this confession as he testified at a federal court during the trial of Adis Medunjanin, an accomplice in al-Qaeda’s foiled 2009 New York City subway plot spearheaded by Najibullah Zazi.Phil Hirschkorn, “Homegrown terrorist Bryant Neal Vinas shows his face in Brooklyn ,” CBS News, April 25, 2012, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/homegrown-terrorist-bryant-neal-vinas-shows-his-face-in-brooklyn/;
“Terrorist Plots Targeting New York City,” NYPD, accessed September 4, 2016, http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/pr/plots_targeting_nyc.shtml.

Vinas was released from federal prison in August 2017. During his eight years of incarceration, he cooperated with U.S. authorities and provided useful intelligence to help disrupt al-Qaeda’s activities. He disclosed the plot to attack the LIRR, gave names of jihadist sympathizers living in New York, and provided details on al-Qaeda’s structure, communications systems, training, and tactics. Information provided by Vinas also contained details about al-Qaeda operatives’ housing accommodations and courier networks in the tribal areas of Pakistan.Aaron Cooper and Eric Levenson, “American al Qaeda recruit to be released from prison,” CNN, May 11, 2017, https://www.cnn.com/2017/05/11/us/bryant-neal-vinas-sentence/index.html; Adam Goldman, “Service to Both Al Qaeda and U.S., With Fate Hanging in the Balance,” New York Times, May 15, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/15/us/politics/service-to-both-al-qaeda-and-us-and-a-fate-hanging-in-the-balance.html; Paul Cruickshank, Nic Robertson and Ken Shiffman, “From Long Island to Lahore: The plot to bomb New York,” CNN, May 21, 2010, http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/05/14/bryant.neal.vinas.part2/index.html. Vinas reportedly aided in more than 30 investigations.Adam Goldman, “He Turned on Al Qaeda and Aided the U.S. Now He’s on Food Stamps and Needs a Job,” New York Times, March 6, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/06/us/politics/bryant-neal-vinas-terrorism-cooperation-fbi-witness-protection.html. A senior U.S. counterterrorism official told CNN in 2010 that Vinas had provided “priceless information.”Paul Cruickshank, “Lawyers call for release of US terrorist who helped ‘dismantle’ al Qaeda,” CNN, May 6, 2017, https://www.cnn.com/2017/05/06/us/bryant-vinas-sentencing/index.html.

According to the transcript of Vinas’s May 2017 sentencing hearing, “The Government reports that the information has been truthful, complete, and accurate and was critical in identifying new leads and targets for investigation and supplementing and correcting the Government’s understanding of al-Qaeda.”“Transcript of Vinas’s Sentencing Hearing”, New York Times, May 15, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/05/15/us/document-Vinas-Sentencing-Transcript.html. Vinas told the court that he wanted to pursue a career in counterterrorism.Paul Cruickshank, “Lawyers call for release of US terrorist who helped ‘dismantle’ al Qaeda,” CNN, May 6, 2017, https://www.cnn.com/2017/05/06/us/bryant-vinas-sentencing/index.html. Vinas was sentenced to time served and three additional months in prison to be followed by supervised release.Adam Goldman, “Service to Both Al Qaeda and the U.S., With Fate Hanging in the Balance,” New York Times, May 15, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/15/us/politics/service-to-both-al-qaeda-and-us-and-a-fate-hanging-in-the-balance.html?module=inline.

Vinas’s attorney, federal prosecutors, and the FBI agents assigned to his case sought witness protection for Vinas. Despite the support, the Justice Department’s Office of Enforcement Operations rejected Vinas’s application for witness protection. According to a senior government official quoted by the New York Times, there were concerns of potential conflict with officers in charge of the program and that Vinas would not adapt to the program. Vinas currently lives in New York City under close U.S. government supervision.Adam Goldman, “He Turned on Al Qaeda and Aided the U.S. Now He’s on Food Stamps and Needs a Job,” New York Times, March 6, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/06/us/politics/bryant-neal-vinas-terrorism-cooperation-fbi-witness-protection.html. Vinas co-authored a piece with CEP advisory board member Mitchell Silber in the September 2018 issue of the CTC Sentinel about the former’s radicalization and rehabilitation.Bryant Neal Vinas and Mitchell Silber, “Al-Qa’ida’s First American Foreign Fighter after 9/11,” CTC Sentinel, September 2018, https://ctc.usma.edu/al-qaidas-first-american-foreign-fighter-9-11/.

Antonio Benjamin Martinez is a U.S. citizen and would-be domestic terrorist. He is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for attempting to bomb an armed forces recruiting station in Catonsville, Maryland.Charlie Savage and Gary Gately, “Man Arrested in Bomb Plot in Maryland,” New York Times, December 8. 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/09/us/09bomb.html. Martinez, a Hispanic convert to Islam, came under FBI investigation in October 2010 after he published several jihadist-related posts on his Facebook account.“United States of America v. Antonio Martinez, a/k/a Muhammad Hussain,” U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, December 9, 2010, 3, http://s3.amazonaws.com/nytdocs/docs/536/536.pdf. He was arrested in December 2010 after plotting an attack alongside undercover FBI agents.“United States of America v. Antonio Martinez, a/k/a Muhammad Hussain,” U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, December 9, 2010, 16, http://s3.amazonaws.com/nytdocs/docs/536/536.pdf. Martinez pled guilty in June 2012 and was sentenced in April of that year.“Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Use of a Weapon of Mass Destruction in Plot to Attack Armed Forces Recruiting Center,” FBI, January 26, 2012, https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/baltimore/press-releases/2012/maryland-man-pleads-guilty-to-attempted-use-of-a-weapon-of-mass-destruction-in-plot-to-attack-armed-forces-recruiting-center;
U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Maryland, “Maryland Man Sentenced to 25 Years In Prison For Attempted Use Of A Weapon Of Mass Destruction In Plot to Attack Armed Forces Recruiting Center,” U.S. Department of Justice, April 6, 2012,  https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/md/news/2012/MarylandManSentencedto25YearsinPrisonforAttemptedUseofaWeaponofMassDestruction.html.

Before his December 2010 arrest, Martinez reportedly operated a Facebook account under the alias “Muhammad Hussain.” According to the FBI, Martinez’s Facebook “friends” included “Authentic Tawheed,” a pro-jihad website founded by internationally-banned extremist Abdullah Faisal.“United States of America v. Antonio Martinez, a/k/a Muhammad Hussain,” U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, December 9, 2010, 9, http://s3.amazonaws.com/nytdocs/docs/536/536.pdf;
“Authentic Tauheed,” Authentic Tauheed, accessed September 12, 2015, http://www.authentictauheed.com/;
Shiv Malik, “Radical Cleric Urges Islamic State to Release British Hostage Alan Henning,” Guardian (London), September 24, 2014, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/24/radical-cleric-islamic-state-release-british-hostage-alan-henning. Martinez was also “friends” with “Call to Islam,” a U.K.-based online network affiliated with the now-defunct group and website Revolution Muslim. Revolution Muslim was led by U.S. citizen Jesse Morton, who pled guilty in February 2012 to conspiring to solicit murder and using the Internet “to place others in fear.”“Leader of Revolution Muslim Pleads Guilty to Using Internet to Solicit Murder and Encourage Violent Extremism,” FBI, February 9, 2012, https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/washingtondc/press-releases/2012/leader-of-revolution-muslim-pleads-guilty-to-using-internet-to-solicit-murder-and-encourage-violent-extremism. According to court documents, one month before his arrest, Martinez viewed a video of Osama bin Laden as well as footage from terrorist training camps on the Revolution Muslim website.“Statement of Facts: United States of America v. Jesse Curtis Morton, defendant,” U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 24.

Martinez began communicating with an FBI information via Facebook in October 2010. In initial conversations, Martinez stated his desire to travel to Pakistan or Afghanistan, or, as Martinez explained, any country that “struggle[s] for the sake of Allah.”“United States of America v. Antonio Martinez, a/k/a Muhammad Hussain,” U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, December 9, 2010, 3, http://s3.amazonaws.com/nytdocs/docs/536/536.pdf. According to the FBI informant—referred to in the criminal complaint as a confidential human source (CHS)—Martinez revealed his desire to target “anything military,” reasoning that U.S. soldiers were deserving of death because of their operations in Muslim countries.“United States of America v. Antonio Martinez, a/k/a Muhammad Hussain,” U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, December 9, 2010, 3, http://s3.amazonaws.com/nytdocs/docs/536/536.pdf. Later that month, in a meeting with the CHS, Martinez praised deceased al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, calling him his “beloved sheikh.”“United States of America v. Antonio Martinez, a/k/a Muhammad Hussain,” U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, December 9, 2010, 5, 10, http://s3.amazonaws.com/nytdocs/docs/536/536.pdf. In another conversation during that time, Martinez identified the Armed Forces Career Center in Catonsville, Maryland, as his intended target.“United States of America v. Antonio Martinez, a/k/a Muhammad Hussain,” U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, December 9, 2010, 4, 8, http://s3.amazonaws.com/nytdocs/docs/536/536.pdf.

In mid-November, Martinez began plotting the attack against the Armed Forces Career Center with the CHS and another FBI agent, referred to as the UC. The UC provided Martinez with an inert bomb, but told him that it was a functioning explosive.“United States of America v. Antonio Martinez, a/k/a Muhammad Hussain,” U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, December 9, 2010, 10, http://s3.amazonaws.com/nytdocs/docs/536/536.pdf. On December 8, 2010, Martinez parked an SUV carrying what he believed to be the working explosive outside of the Career Center. Martinez left the area with the CHS, and attempted to remotely detonate the device. Martinez was immediately arrested and charged with attempting to murder federal officers and employees, as well as attempting use of a weapon of mass destruction against property owned, leased or used by the United States.“United States of America v. Antonio Martinez, a/k/a Muhammad Hussain,” U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, December 9, 2010, 15, 18, http://s3.amazonaws.com/nytdocs/docs/536/536.pdf.

In January 2012, Martinez pled guilty to attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction against federal property.“Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Use of a Weapon of Mass Destruction in Plot to Attack Armed Forces Recruiting Center,” FBI, January 26, 2012, https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/baltimore/press-releases/2012/maryland-man-pleads-guilty-to-attempted-use-of-a-weapon-of-mass-destruction-in-plot-to-attack-armed-forces-recruiting-center. During Martinez’s detainment while on trial, jail guards uncovered a banner in Martinez’s cell that depicted crossed swords, an AK-47, and writing in Arabic.United States Attorney District of Maryland Northern Division, “Antonio Martinez banner seized in jail,” Baltimore Sun, April 2, 2012, http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/332132-antonio-martinez-banner-seized-in-jail.html. In April 2010, prosecutors sentenced him to 25 years in prison and an additional five years of supervised release.U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Maryland, “Maryland Man Sentenced to 25 Years In Prison For Attempted Use Of A Weapon Of Mass Destruction In Plot to Attack Armed Forces Recruiting Center,” U.S. Department of Justice, April 6, 2012, https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/md/news/2012/MarylandManSentencedto25YearsinPrisonforAttemptedUseofaWeaponofMassDestruction.html.

<p>Abdel Hameed Shehadeh is an American citizen of Palestinian descent convicted of lying to the FBI in a terrorism investigation.<span class="footnote">&ldquo;Staten Island Man Convicted Of Making False Statements In A Matter Involving International Terrorism,&rdquo; U.S. Department of Justice, March 25, 2013, <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/staten-island-man-convicted-making… Secret, &ldquo;Staten Island Man Is Convicted of Lying About Plans to Join Terrorists,&rdquo; <em>New York Times</em>, March 25, 2013, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/26/nyregion/staten-island-man-convicted-…; In June 2008, he was denied entry into Pakistan after flying there from the United States in order to join a jihadist group. Shehadeh later attempted to join the U.S. Army so that he could travel to Iraq and join the anti-U.S. jihad, according to U.S. authorities. Shehadeh told the FBI in various subsequent interviews that he wanted to fight alongside foreign jihadist groups. He received a 13-year prison sentence in September 2013.<span class="footnote">“Staten Island Man Sentenced To 13 Years In Prison For Making False Statements In A Matter Involving International Terrorism,&rdquo; U.S. Department of Justice, September 20, 2013, <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/staten-island-man-sentenced-13-yea…;

<p>Starting in 2008, Shehadeh maintained personal websites that glorified violent jihad as well as top <a href="http://www.counterextremism.com/threat/al-qaeda">al-Qaeda</a&gt; leaders, including Osama bin Laden and the late American-born <a href="http://www.counterextremism.com/threat/al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula-aqap"… in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)</a> cleric <a href="http://www.counterextremism.com/extremists/anwar-al-awlaki">Anwar al-Awlaki</a>.<span class="footnote">Mosi Secret, &ldquo;Staten Island Man Is Convicted of Lying About Plans to Join Terrorists,&rdquo; <em>New York Times</em>, March 25, 2013, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/26/nyregion/staten-island-man-convicted-…; According to the FBI, Shehadeh&rsquo;s now-defunct jihad-themed websites included www.sunnah101.com, www.civiljihad.com, and www.mymakkah.com.<span class="footnote">&ldquo;United States of America v. Abdel Hameed Shehadeh, also known as &lsquo;Abdul-Qasim,&rsquo; &lsquo;Abul-Qasim Ibn Abu Muhammad,&rsquo; &lsquo;Sunnah10&rsquo; and &lsquo;Abu Baheera,&rsquo; Defendant,&rdquo; U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, October 21, 2010, 5.</span> Civiljihad.com reportedly linked to Awlaki&rsquo;s online lectures and blogs, as well as a directory of &ldquo;Jihad magazines.&rdquo; According to a member of the New York Police Department, the site featured an image of a man holding a sign that read &ldquo;JIHAD IS OUR WAY.&rdquo;<span class="footnote">&ldquo;United States of America v. Abdel Hameed Shehadeh, also known as &lsquo;Abdul-Qasim,&rsquo; &lsquo;Abul-Qasim Ibn Abu Muhammad,&rsquo; &lsquo;Sunnah10&rsquo; and &lsquo;Abu Baheera,&rsquo; Defendant,&rdquo; U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, October 21, 2010, 10.</span> Shehadeh&rsquo;s mymakkah.com site also featured a &ldquo;jihad&rdquo; section featuring a speech by al-Qaeda leader <a href="http://www.counterextremism.com/extremists/ayman-al-zawahiri">Ayman al-Zawahiri</a> and audio recording of Awlaki.<span class="footnote">&ldquo;United States of America v. Abdel Hameed Shehadeh, also known as &lsquo;Abdul-Qasim,&rsquo; &lsquo;Abul-Qasim Ibn Abu Muhammad,&rsquo; &lsquo;Sunnah10&rsquo; and &lsquo;Abu Baheera,&rsquo; Defendant,&rdquo; U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, October 21, 2010, 6-7.</span> Shehadeh also maintained a YouTube account under the name &ldquo;Sunna101.&rdquo; Shehadeh used the account to post jihadist videos, including one titled &ldquo;Benefits of Jihad in Our Times.&rdquo;<span class="footnote">&ldquo;United States of America v. Abdel Hameed Shehadeh, also known as &lsquo;Abdul-Qasim,&rsquo; &lsquo;Abul-Qasim Ibn Abu Muhammad,&rsquo; &lsquo;Sunnah10&rsquo; and &lsquo;Abu Baheera,&rsquo; Defendant,&rdquo; U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, October 21, 2010, 5.</span></p>

<p>In June 2008, Shehadeh attempted to travel to Pakistan, but was barred by Pakistani authorities and sent back to the United States.<span class="footnote">&ldquo;Staten Island Man Convicted Of Making False Statements In A Matter Involving International Terrorism,&rdquo; U.S. Department of Justice, March 25, 2013, <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/staten-island-man-convicted-making…; According to U.S. officials, Shehadeh intended to join the <a href="http://www.counterextremism.com/threat/taliban">Taliban</a&gt; or a similar group in Pakistan.<span class="footnote">&ldquo;Hawaii Resident Charged with Making False Statements in a Matter Involving International Terrorism,&rdquo; U.S. Department of Justice, October 26, 2010.</span> Upon his return to the United States, Shehadeh attempted to enlist in the U.S. Army at a recruiting station in New York City. According to the U.S. Attorney&rsquo;s Office, Shehadeh intended to &ldquo;deploy overseas, where he would commit treason by defecting and fighting alongside insurgent forces.&rdquo; The Army denied Shehadeh&rsquo;s application upon discovering that he had concealed his trip to Pakistan during the recruitment process.<span class="footnote">&ldquo;Staten Island Man Convicted Of Making False Statements In A Matter Involving International Terrorism,&rdquo; U.S. Department of Justice, March 25, 2013, <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/staten-island-man-convicted-making…;

<p>Shehadeh flew to Jordan in October 2008, but was denied entry at the airport in Amman. Upon his return to the United States, authorities discovered that Shehadeh had torn out the page of his passport containing the Pakistani visa stamp. Authorities also questioned Shehadeh on his jihadist-themed websites. Shehadeh confirmed that his civiljihad.com website was designed to &ldquo;mirror and reformat&rdquo; Awlaki&rsquo;s teachings, according to the FBI. He also said that he had written to Awlaki several times without a response.<span class="footnote">&ldquo;United States of America v. Abdel Hameed Shehadeh, also known as &lsquo;Abdul-Qasim,&rsquo; &lsquo;Abul-Qasim Ibn Abu Muhammad,&rsquo; &lsquo;Sunnah10&rsquo; and &lsquo;Abu Baheera,&rsquo; Defendant,&rdquo; U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, October 21, 2010, 9.</span></p>

<p>Shehadeh belonged to the New York-based group Revolution Muslim, led by Jesse Morton, a.k.a. Younus Abdullah Muhammad. The group&rsquo;s members advocated the creation of an Islamic state based on sharia (Islamic law). Morton pled guilty in February 2012 to conspiring to solicit murder and using the Internet &ldquo;to place others in fear.&rdquo;<span class="footnote">&ldquo;Leader of Revolution Muslim Pleads Guilty to Using Internet to Solicit Murder and Encourage Violent Extremism,&rdquo; FBI, February 9, 2012, <a href="https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/washingtondc/press-releases/2012/lead…; He also admitted to encouraging violence against the writers of the television show <em>South Park </em>because they had featured the Islamic prophet Muhammad in a bear suit, and planned to depict him in a future episode<em>.</em> Morton admitted to authorities that he had communicated with AQAP propagandist <a href="https://www.counterextremism.com/extremists/samir-khan">Samir Khan</a>, who was killed alongside Awlaki in 2011. Shehadeh purportedly regularly attended Revolution Muslim meetings and linked to Revolution Muslim&rsquo;s website on civiljihad.com.<span class="footnote">Jason Ryan, Pierre, Thomas, and Richard Esposito, &ldquo;New York Man Guilty in &lsquo;South Park&rsquo; Murder Threat,&rdquo; ABC News, February 9, 2012, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/york-man-guilty-south-park-murder-threat/… States of America v. Abdel Hameed Shehadeh, also known as &lsquo;Abdul-Qasim,&rsquo; &lsquo;Abul-Qasim Ibn Abu Muhammad,&rsquo; &lsquo;Sunnah10&rsquo; and &lsquo;Abu Baheera,&rsquo; Defendant,&rdquo; U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, October 21, 2010, 7.</span></p>

<p>FBI and NYPD officers met with three witnesses while investigating Shehadeh between 2008 and 2009. According to one witness, Shehadeh believed that American Muslims had a duty to travel to Muslim nations &ldquo;at war&rdquo; in order to fight alongside those Muslims. Another witness claimed that Shehadeh had expressed interest in traveling to Pakistan to wage jihad, and that he had attempted to join the Army in order to go to Iraq to fight in the jihad there.<span class="footnote">&ldquo;United States of America v. Abdel Hameed Shehadeh, also known as &lsquo;Abdul-Qasim,&rsquo; &lsquo;Abul-Qasim Ibn Abu Muhammad,&rsquo; &lsquo;Sunnah10&rsquo; and &lsquo;Abu Baheera,&rsquo; Defendant,&rdquo; U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, October 21, 2010, 11-12.</span> A third witness told the FBI that Shehadeh had tried to convince him to go to Yemen to learn Arabic &ldquo;on the battlefield.&rdquo;<span class="footnote">&ldquo;United States of America v. Abdel Hameed Shehadeh, also known as &lsquo;Abdul-Qasim,&rsquo; &lsquo;Abul-Qasim Ibn Abu Muhammad,&rsquo; &lsquo;Sunnah10&rsquo; and &lsquo;Abu Baheera,&rsquo; Defendant,&rdquo; U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, October 21, 2010, 14-15.</span></p>

<p>Shehadeh traveled to Hawaii in April 2009 with the intent of traveling to Somalia via Dubai, United Arab Emirates.<span class="footnote">&ldquo;United States of America v. Abdel Hameed Shehadeh, also known as &lsquo;Abdul-Qasim,&rsquo; &lsquo;Abul-Qasim Ibn Abu Muhammad,&rsquo; &lsquo;Sunnah10&rsquo; and &lsquo;Abu Baheera,&rsquo; Defendant,&rdquo; U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, October 21, 2010, 13-14.</span> In June 2009, the day before he was scheduled to fly to Dubai, the FBI warned Shehadeh that he had been placed on the no-fly list.<span class="footnote">&ldquo;United States of America v. Abdel Hameed Shehadeh, also known as &lsquo;Abdul-Qasim,&rsquo; &lsquo;Abul-Qasim Ibn Abu Muhammad,&rsquo; &lsquo;Sunnah10&rsquo; and &lsquo;Abu Baheera,&rsquo; Defendant,&rdquo; U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, October 21, 2010, 14.</span> When Shehadeh tried to convince the FBI to remove him from the list in February 2010, FBI agents led him to believe that the FBI was using him as an informant.<span class="footnote">&ldquo;United States of America v. Abdel Hameed Shehadeh, also known as &lsquo;Abdul-Qasim,&rsquo; &lsquo;Abul-Qasim Ibn Abu Muhammad,&rsquo; &lsquo;Sunnah10&rsquo; and &lsquo;Abu Baheera,&rsquo; Defendant,&rdquo; U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, October 21, 2010, 15.</span> In interviews with the FBI over the proceeding months, Shehadeh described how his own radicalization mirrored that of other young Muslim Americans who desired to exact revenge on&mdash;or in his words, &ldquo;get back&rdquo; at&mdash;the United States. He also said that if he had been allowed into Pakistan he would have traveled to the north because he wanted &ldquo;to see the different jihadist groups, including the Taliban,&rdquo; according to the criminal complaint filed against him.<span class="footnote">&ldquo;United States of America v. Abdel Hameed Shehadeh, also known as &lsquo;Abdul-Qasim,&rsquo; &lsquo;Abul-Qasim Ibn Abu Muhammad,&rsquo; &lsquo;Sunnah10&rsquo; and &lsquo;Abu Baheera,&rsquo; Defendant,&rdquo; U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, October 21, 2010, 15-16.</span></p>

<p>Shehadeh was arrested in Honolulu, Hawaii, on October 22, 2010.<span class="footnote">&ldquo;Leader of Revolution Muslim Pleads Guilty to Using Internet to Solicit Murder and Encourage Violent Extremism,&rdquo; FBI, February 9, 2012, <a href="https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/washingtondc/press-releases/2012/lead… Resident Charged with Making False Statements in a Matter Involving International Terrorism,&rdquo; U.S. Department of Justice, October 26, 2010.</span> In March 2013, he was convicted of making false statements in a matter of international terrorism.<span class="footnote">&ldquo;Staten Island Man Convicted Of Making False Statements In A Matter Involving International Terrorism,&rdquo; U.S. Department of Justice, March 25, 2013, <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/staten-island-man-convicted-making…; He was sentenced to 13 years in prison that September.<span class="footnote">&ldquo;Staten Island Man Sentenced To 13 Years In Prison For Making False Statements In A Matter Involving International Terrorism,&rdquo; U.S. Department of Justice, September 20, 2013, <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/staten-island-man-sentenced-13-yea…;

<p>According to then-U.S. attorney Loretta Lynch, &ldquo;Time and again, Shehadeh sought to travel overseas to wage violent jihad against U.S. military forces, going so far as to attempt to infiltrate the U.S. Army. When confronted with his attempts to join a terrorist group and kill American soldiers, he repeatedly lied about his actions and his intentions.&rdquo;<span class="footnote">&ldquo;Staten Island Man Convicted Of Making False Statements In A Matter Involving International Terrorism,&rdquo; U.S. Department of Justice, March 25, 2013, <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/staten-island-man-convicted-making…;

<p>In late April 2020, Shehadeh wrote to a federal judge in Brooklyn, New York, saying &ldquo;I was a naive, gullible 18-year-old at the time of my indicted actions,&rdquo; and asked to be released from prison in order to avoid contracting COVID-19. His request was denied.<span class="footnote">Noah Goldberg, &ldquo;Staten Island man convicted of lying to feds about jihad plans wants to get out of prison to avoid coronavirus,&rdquo; <em>NY Daily News</em>, May 8, 2020, <a href="https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-coronavirus-staten-island-ma…;

Daniel Seth Franey is a U.S. citizen and alleged ISIS sympathizer from Washington. He pleaded guilty to illegally possessing machine guns and other firearms in July 2016,“Montesano man who supported ISIS, bin Laden, pleads guilty to illegal firearm possession,” Q13 Fox, July 12, 2016, http://q13fox.com/2016/07/12/montesano-man-who-supported-isis-bin-laden-pleads-guilty-to-illegal-firearm-possession-daniel-franey-abu-dawuud-292289/. and was sentenced to six years in prison in January 2017.Associated Press, “Man Accused of Supporting Islamic State Group Gets 6 Years,” ABC News, January 24, 2017, http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/man-accused-supporting-islamic-state-group-years-45000791. Franey—who praised Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) cleric Anwar al-Awlaki—told undercover FBI agents he desired to kill Americans, including U.S. military personnel. He openly supported ISIS over social media and in discussions with neighbors, and expressed to undercover FBI agents his desire to travel to Iraq and Syria to “join the fight,” according to the criminal complaint filed against him.U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, “United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Daniel Seth Franey, Defendant,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 5, 2016, 5, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/file/827046/download;
Rick Anderson, “The FBI Suspected an Army Vet Was Plotting Attacks in the US – So They Gave Him Guns,” Vice News, March 15, 2016, https://news.vice.com/article/fbi-suspected-army-vet-daniel-seth-franey-plotting-attacks-the-us-so-they-gave-him-guns.

Franey reportedly served in the U.S. Army from 2002 to 2008 as an Enhanced Operator and Maintainer of Patriot Missile Launching Stations.U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, “United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Daniel Seth Franey, Defendant,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 5, 2016, 4, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/file/827046/download. Prior to his 2016 arrest, Franey lived in western Washington for three years working as a commercial fisherman.U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, “United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Daniel Seth Franey, Defendant,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 5, 2016, 4, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/file/827046/download. In May 2014, an Illinois court served Franey with a protective order following a domestic violence case with his ex-wife. The order prevented Franey from possessing a firearm in the United States.U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, “United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Daniel Seth Franey, Defendant,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 5, 2016, 4-5, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/file/827046/download;
Rick Anderson, “The FBI Suspected an Army Vet Was Plotting Attacks in the US – So They Gave Him Guns,” Vice News, March 15, 2016, https://news.vice.com/article/fbi-suspected-army-vet-daniel-seth-franey-plotting-attacks-the-us-so-they-gave-him-guns.

In April 2015, Franey’s neighbor alerted the local sheriff as to conversations he had had with Franey. According to his neighbor, Franey regularly discussed his support for ISIS and said he would gladly give up his family to travel overseas to “join the fight” to kill Americans. Despite being legally barred from possessing firearms, Franey attempted to convince his neighbor to sell him an AK-47 machine gun.U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, “United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Daniel Seth Franey, Defendant,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 5, 2016, 5, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/file/827046/download. On April 6, 2015, Franey reportedly instructed his neighbor to fly an ISIS flag outside his house, and warned that he would kill him if he did not support the terrorist group. Franey reportedly clenched his fists and advanced on his neighbor when he was asked to leave his house.U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, “United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Daniel Seth Franey, Defendant,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 5, 2016, 5-6, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/file/827046/download.

Several other witnesses reported Franey to the authorities in 2015, according to the criminal complaint filed against him. Two witnesses said Franey told them he wished to “kill Marines because they are raping women and killing them,” and that he wished he “could get over there [Iraq and Syria].” In September 2015, Franey approached another witness and told him that “things were going to happen [soon],” and that he was going to behead police officers.U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, “United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Daniel Seth Franey, Defendant,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 5, 2016, 6, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/file/827046/download.

Franey was approached by an undercover agent of Seattle’s FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force on July 2, 2015. According to the criminal complaint, the agent posed as a Christian interested in learning more about Islam.U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, “United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Daniel Seth Franey, Defendant,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 5, 2016, 7, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/file/827046/download. In their first conversation, Franey was praised Osama bin Laden, calling him “a diamond,” “a holy warrior,” and “a beautiful man.”U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, “United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Daniel Seth Franey, Defendant,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 5, 2016, 8, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/file/827046/download.

The FBI agent told Franey that he was a black market gun dealer. Over the next several months, Franey accompanied the agent on multiple staged gun deliveries throughout Washington, where he conducted transactions with other undercover agents.U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, “United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Daniel Seth Franey, Defendant,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 5, 2016, 12-30, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/file/827046/download;
Rick Anderson, “The FBI Suspected an Army Vet Was Plotting Attacks in the US – So They Gave Him Guns,” Vice News, March 15, 2016, https://news.vice.com/article/fbi-suspected-army-vet-daniel-seth-franey-plotting-attacks-the-us-so-they-gave-him-guns. Throughout these interactions, Franey repeatedly expressed his desire to kill U.S. military members.U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, “United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Daniel Seth Franey, Defendant,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 5, 2016, 12-30, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/file/827046/download. The staged gun deliveries began in August 2015 and continued through November 2015.U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, “United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Daniel Seth Franey, Defendant,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 5, 2016, 9-30, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/file/827046/download.

During a delivery trip in August 2015, Franey spoke of attacking the Lewis-McChord military base south of Seattle. He told the undercover agent that it was the obligation of Muslims in Seattle to “fight these soldiers until they stop fighting, until they’re dead, or until we’re dead.”U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, “United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Daniel Seth Franey, Defendant,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 5, 2016, 9, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/file/827046/download. He alerted the agent of an annual meeting for U.S. military members on the Washington coast, and proposed that he take over the meeting and “kill them all.”Rick Anderson, “The FBI Suspected an Army Vet Was Plotting Attacks in the US – So They Gave Him Guns,” Vice News, March 15, 2016, https://news.vice.com/article/fbi-suspected-army-vet-daniel-seth-franey-plotting-attacks-the-us-so-they-gave-him-guns. In September 2015, during a ride to another staged delivery, Franey referred to deceased AQAP cleric Anwar al-Awlaki as a “scholar” who “[spoke] the truth.”U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, “United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Daniel Seth Franey, Defendant,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 5, 2016, 14, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/file/827046/download.

The FBI continued to monitor Franey’s activity through January 2016. Franey made continuous efforts to convince the agent to sell him firearms, and expressed his desire to kill federal and local law enforcement and U.S. military personnel.U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, “United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Daniel Seth Franey, Defendant,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 5, 2016, 30, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/file/827046/download.

The FBI arrested Franey during a raid at his home in Montesano, Washington, on February 6, 2016. He was charged with five counts of unlawful possession of firearms for his participation in the undercover gun deliveries. Franey initially pled not guilty on March 7, 2016.Rick Anderson, “The FBI Suspected an Army Vet Was Plotting Attacks in the US – So They Gave Him Guns,” Vice News, March 15, 2016, https://news.vice.com/article/fbi-suspected-army-vet-daniel-seth-franey-plotting-attacks-the-us-so-they-gave-him-guns;
Mary Kay Mallonee, “Alleged ISIS sympathizer arrested in U.S.,” CNN, February 8, 2016, http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/08/politics/isis-sympathizer-arrested-in-washington/. On July 12, 2016, he pled guilty to illegally possessing machine guns and other firearms.“Montesano man who supported ISIS, bin Laden, pleads guilty to illegal firearm possession,” Q13 Fox, July 12, 2016, http://q13fox.com/2016/07/12/montesano-man-who-supported-isis-bin-laden-pleads-guilty-to-illegal-firearm-possession-daniel-franey-abu-dawuud-292289/. He was sentenced to six years in prison in January 2017.Associated Press, “Man Accused of Supporting Islamic State Group Gets 6 Years,” ABC News, January 24, 2017, http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/man-accused-supporting-islamic-state-group-years-45000791. He is currently incarcerated at Residential Reentry Management Seattle in Washington, with a scheduled release date of June 17, 2021.“DANIEL SETH FRANEY,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed March 23, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.

Akram I. Musleh is a U.S. citizen who stands accused of providing material support to ISIS after he pledged allegiance to the terror group and sought to join ISIS abroad. Since at least 2013, Musleh used social media to watch and disseminate videos of deceased al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, according to court documents.U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, “United States of America v. Akram I. Musleh Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 21, 2016, 4-5, https://cchs.gwu.edu/sites/cchs.gwu.edu/files/downloads/Musleh%20Complaint.pdf. The FBI arrested then-18-year-old Musleh in June 2016 as he boarded a bus from Indianapolis to New York, allegedly in preparation to fly to ISIS-held territory in Libya.“Indiana Man Arrested on Terrorism Charge,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 21, 2016 https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/indiana-man-arrested-terrorism-charge. Musleh pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to ISIS in May 2018,“United States of America v. Akram I. Musleh: Petition to Enter Plea of Guilty and Plea Agreement,” United States District Court – Southern District of Indiana Indianapolis Division, May 14, 2018, https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs2191/f/MuslehPleaAgreement.pdf. and in June 2019, he was sentenced to eight years and four months in federal prison.“Brownsburg Man Sentenced in Terrorism Case: Man Convicted of Attempting to Travel to Join ISIS,” U.S. Attorney’s Office – Southern District of Indiana, June 24, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/brownsburg-man-sentenced-terrorism-case.

The FBI started monitoring Musleh in August 2013 after he used the handle “akram165” to upload three al-Awlaki videos to YouTube. That December, the FBI met with Musleh and officials from Musleh’s high school. During the meeting, Musleh admitted that a family member had recommended he watch al-Awlaki’s videos. Musleh said he knew al-Awlaki’s “history,” but watched the videos to learn more about Islam. The FBI and Musleh’s high school took unspecified “steps to dissuade” Musleh from Islamic extremism, according to the criminal complaint filed against him.U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, “United States of America v. Akram I. Musleh Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 21, 2016, 5, https://cchs.gwu.edu/sites/cchs.gwu.edu/files/downloads/Musleh%20Complaint.pdf. During an FBI search of Musleh’s checked luggage after his June 2016 arrest, agents discovered a journal containing quotes by Anwar al-Awlaki, deceased al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, former al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab Zarqawi, and al-Qaeda co-founder Abdullah Azzam.U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, “United States of America v. Akram I. Musleh Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 21, 2016, 8, https://cchs.gwu.edu/sites/cchs.gwu.edu/files/downloads/Musleh%20Complaint.pdf.

Musleh allegedly used multiple social media platforms to praise ISIS and communicate with the group’s members. According to the criminal complaint filed against him, Musleh used mobile messaging apps, including Kik, to communicate with ISIS operatives. He also allegedly spoke with an FBI “confidential human source” (CHS) about hijrah (immigration) to ISIS-held territory. Musleh allegedly told the CHS that he had pledged allegiance to ISIS, and that he wished to travel to Libya to join ISIS there. Musleh and the alleged ISIS members discussed life in the so-called caliphate, including the salaries of ISIS fighters. One ISIS member allegedly suggested that Musleh carry out “operations” against U.S. military targets in Florida.U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, “United States of America v. Akram I. Musleh Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 21, 2016, 9-27, https://cchs.gwu.edu/sites/cchs.gwu.edu/files/downloads/Musleh%20Complaint.pdf.

Image allegedly posted to Musleh’s social media profile on May 15, 2016.

Federal agents searched Musleh’s phone in late May 2016 and discovered several files referencing “jihad, martyrdom,” and ISIS, including multiple issues of ISIS’s Dabiq magazine and al-Qaeda’s Inspire magazine. In addition, the agents found a collection of audio files labeled “Anwar Al-Awlaki\All Of The Lectures From The Best Scholar Ever.” The phone also contained photos of Musleh raising one finger in the ISIS salute.U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, “United States of America v.Akram I. Musleh Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 21, 2016, 22-25, https://cchs.gwu.edu/sites/cchs.gwu.edu/files/downloads/Musleh%20Complaint.pdf. A YouTube account—believed to be operated by Musleh and active as of June 2016—contains al-Awlaki’s videos.Akram Musleh YouTube account, accessed June 23, 2016, https://www.youtube.com/user/akram165/about.

Image allegedly posted to Musleh’s social media profile on May 15, 2016.

Between spring 2015 and June 2016, Musleh purchased several plane tickets to Middle Eastern and African countries—including Iraq—in order to join ISIS. Musleh allegedly attempted to fly to Istanbul in June 2015, telling customs officials that he was visiting family. He later allegedly changed his story, claiming that he was getting married and would meet his fiancée and family at the airport. Customs officials barred Musleh from flying due to his passport’s impending expiration date. The FBI later discovered that Musleh had no family in Turkey and his so-called “fiancée” was likely a Swedish-based ISIS sympathizer.U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, “United States of America v.Akram I. Musleh Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 21, 2016, 7-8, https://cchs.gwu.edu/sites/cchs.gwu.edu/files/downloads/Musleh%20Complaint.pdf. In April 2015, police in Brownsburg, Indiana, responded to a call claiming that a group of people in a park were promoting ISIS to teenagers. The FBI later determined Musleh was part of that group.U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, “United States of America v.Akram I. Musleh Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 21, 2016, 6, https://cchs.gwu.edu/sites/cchs.gwu.edu/files/downloads/Musleh%20Complaint.pdf.

FBI agents arrested Musleh in Indianapolis on June 23, 2016, as he was boarding a New York City-bound Greyhound bus to reach John F. Kennedy International Airport.U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, “United States of America v.Akram I. Musleh Criminal Complaint,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 21, 2016, 27-28, https://cchs.gwu.edu/sites/cchs.gwu.edu/files/downloads/Musleh%20Complaint.pdf. Musleh allegedly intended to fly to Morocco and then continue on to ISIS-held territory in Libya.“Indiana Man Arrested on Terrorism Charge,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 21, 2016 https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/indiana-man-arrested-terrorism-charge.

The FBI charged Musleh with providing material support to a terrorist organization. On August 15, 2016, he was formally indicted on the charge of attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Musleh faced a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison followed by supervised release, as well as a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted.“Indiana teen indicted on terrorism charge, accused of attempting to join ISIS,” Fox59 WEB, September 14, 2016, http://fox59.com/2016/09/14/indiana-teen-indicted-on-terrorism-charge-accused-of-attempting-to-join-isis/;
Jacob Burbrink, “Southern Indiana man indicted on terrorism charge,” ABC 21 Alive, September 14, 2016, http://www.21alive.com/nbc33/Southern-Indiana-man-indicted-on-terrorism-charge-393463301.html.

On May 23, 2018, Musleh pleaded guilty in federal court to “attempting to provide material support or resources” to ISIS.“United States of America v. Akram I. Musleh: Petition to Enter Plea of Guilty and Plea Agreement,” United States District Court – Southern District of Indiana Indianapolis Division, May 14, 2018, https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs2191/f/MuslehPleaAgreement.pdf; Mark Alesia, “Brownsburg Man, 20, Pleads Guilty to Trying to Join Terrorist Group ISIS,” Indianapolis Star, May 23, 2018,  https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2018/05/23/brownsburg-man-pleads-guilty-trying-join-isis-terrorist-group/638665002/. On June 21, 2019, he was sentenced to eight years and four months in federal prison, followed by 11 years and eight months of post-release supervision.“Brownsburg Man Sentenced in Terrorism Case: Man Convicted of Attempting to Travel to Join ISIS,” U.S. Attorney’s Office – Southern District of Indiana, June 24, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/brownsburg-man-sentenced-terrorism-case; “Indiana Man Gets More Than 8 years in Prison in Terror Case,” Associated Press, June 21, 2019, https://apnews.com/article/a2082ddd4003496aad3efb79be598ba0. He is currently incarcerated at Gilmore Federal Correctional Institute in West Virginia, with a scheduled release date of August 11, 2023.“AKRAM I MUSLEH,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed March 9, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.

Emanuel L. Lutchman is a U.S. citizen and convert to Islam who in August 2016 pled guilty to attempting to provide material support to ISIS.“Lutchman pleads guilty to ISIS plot on local bar,” WHAM, August 11, 2016, http://13wham.com/news/isis-plot-arrest/lutchman-pleads-guilty-to-isis-plot-on-local-bar. Lutchman reportedly plotted to attack a restaurant in Rochester, New York, on December 31, 2015, as diners celebrated the New Year. On December 30, the day of his arrest, Lutchman filmed a video in which he pledged allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.Julia Glum, “Who Is Emanuel Lutchman? Islamic State New Year’s Eve New York Attack Planned By Muslim Convert,” International Business Times, December 31, 2015, http://www.ibtimes.com/who-emanuel-lutchman-islamic-state-new-years-eve-new-york-attack-planned-muslim-2245914. Lutchman had previously praised deceased al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) cleric Anwar al-Awlaki on social media.Emanuel Lutchman, Google Plus Account, accessed June 28, 2016, https://plus.google.com/wm/2/se/1/109591227310493964421/posts/YXKueFjG5Fi.

Lutchman—who had been in contact with two undercover FBI officers and an alleged overseas ISIS militant since November 2015U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, “United States of America v. Emanuel Lutchman,” U.S. Department of Justice, December 30, 2015, 3, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/809371/download.—originally planned to construct a pressure cooker bomb for use at the restaurant. He ultimately decided to use smaller weaponry due to funding constraints.Benjamin Mueller, “Rochester Man Charged With Planning Attack on Behalf of ISIS,” New York Times, December 31, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/01/nyregion/rochester-man-charged-with-planning-attack-on-behalf-of-isis.html.

In December 2015, Lutchman told the overseas militant that he hated living in America among the “kuffar,” or nonbelievers, according to the criminal complaint filed against him.U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, “United States of America v. Emanuel Lutchman,” U.S. Department of Justice, December 30, 2015, 4, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/809371/download. In turn, the militant described living in ISIS-controlled territory as a “dream come true,” and urged Lutchman to plan an attack on U.S. soil. Lutchman—who had previously served a five year sentence for robbery—said that he feared arrest and reimprisonment.U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, “United States of America v. Emanuel Lutchman,” U.S. Department of Justice, December 30, 2015, 5, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/809371/download.

Despite his reservations, Lutchman told the ISIS operative that he was beginning to “organize [people] to do operation for the sake of Allaah [sic],” according to the criminal complaint. The operative urged Lutchman to plan an attack on New Year’s Eve and to kill as many people as possible, assuring him that he would not be imprisoned. The operative told Lutchman that he should carry a weapon and “kill them all.”U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, “United States of America v. Emanuel Lutchman,” U.S. Department of Justice, December 30, 2015, 5-6, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/809371/download.

In preparation for the attack, Lutchman allegedly purchased knives, ski masks, zip ties, ammonia, latex gloves, and a machete.Benjamin Mueller, “Rochester Man Charged With Planning Attack on Behalf of ISIS,” New York Times, December 31, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/01/nyregion/rochester-man-charged-with-planning-attack-on-behalf-of-isis.html. He allegedly planned to kidnap some of the restaurant patrons before killing them, according to the criminal complaint.U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, “United States of America v. Emanuel Lutchman,” U.S. Department of Justice, December 30, 2015, 8, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/809371/download.

On December 29, 2015, Lutchman purchased the final supplies needed to carry out the attack. He was arrested by Rochester’s Joint Terrorism Task Force the next day as he sat in a vehicle with an FBI informant.Benjamin Mueller, “Rochester Man Charged With Planning Attack on Behalf of ISIS,” New York Times, December 31, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/01/nyregion/rochester-man-charged-with-planning-attack-on-behalf-of-isis.html. During his hearing at the Rochester Federal Court on June 16, 2016, Lutchman was forcibly removed from the courtroom after he refused to stand for the judge.Gary Craig, “Accused terrorist forcibly removed from court,” USA Today, June 16, 2016, http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2016/06/16/alleged-isis-sympathizer-returns-court/85862256/. On August 11, 2016, Lutchman pled guilty to the charge of attempting to provide material support to ISIS.“Lutchman pleads guilty to ISIS plot on local bar,” WHAM, August 11, 2016, http://13wham.com/news/isis-plot-arrest/lutchman-pleads-guilty-to-isis-plot-on-local-bar. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 50 years post-supervision on January 26, 2017. During his sentencing, Lutchman reportedly denounced ISIS—though screamed “there will be more blood” as he exited the court room.“Rochester Man Sentenced for Plotting 2015 New Year's Eve Terror Attack,” TWC Rochester, January 26, 2017, http://www.twcnews.com/nys/rochester/crime/2017/01/26/emanuel-lutchman-rochester-terror-attack-sentencing.html.

Lutchman’s purported YouTube and Google+ accounts contain swathes of extremist propaganda and rhetoric. Before his arrest, Lutchman linked to numerous videos of Anwar al-Awlaki, the deceased AQAP cleric whose lectures and propaganda have continued to inspire domestic terror attacks.Peter Bergen, “The American who inspires terror from Paris to the U.S.,” CNN, January 12, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/11/opinion/bergen-american-terrorism-leader-paris-attack/.

As of August 2016, the most recent video added to Lutchman’s “like” list on YouTube is entitled “NEW: Anwar Al Awlaki - A True Leader.”Emanuel Lutchman YouTube page, accessed August 12, 2016, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHg7IpvGJR3ozGqBXnnLRTA/videos?view=15&live_view=500&flow=grid&sort=dd. His purported Google+ account also contains references to al-Awlaki. On December 30, 2015, the day he was arrested, Lutchman shared an al-Awlaki-related video and wrote, “My shaykh I love him so much for the sake of Allah only.”Emanuel Lutchman GooglePlus post, December 30, 2015, https://plus.google.com/109591227310493964421/posts/C8hoKLd5LdP.

Screenshot from Lutchman’s purported Google+ account, in which he praises AQAP cleric Anwar al-Awlaki

Saudi-born U.S. citizen Samir Khan was a propagandist for al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the creator of the group’s English-language magazine Inspire. In October 2009, Khan left his home in Charlotte, North Carolina, and traveled to Yemen to join AQAP.Mark Schone and Matthew Cole, “American Jihadi Samir Khan Killed With Awlaki,” ABC News, September 30, 2011, http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/american-jihadi-samir-khan-killed-awlaki/story?id=14640013;
Oren Adaki, “AQAP publishes biography of American jihadist Samir Khan,” Long War Journal, November 2014, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/11/aqap_releases_biogra_1.php;
“AQAP's Radicalization Efforts in the West Take Another Hit,” Stratfor, September 30, 2011, https://www.stratfor.com/analysis/aqaps-radicalization-efforts-west-take-another-hit. He was killed in a U.S. airstrike on September 30, 2011, in Yemen’s Jawf province. The airstrike specifically targeted U.S. citizen Anwar al-Awlaki, AQAP’s prolific propagandist and director of external operations.Robbie Brown and Kim Severson, “2^nd American in Strike Waged Qaeda Media War,” New York Times, September 30, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/world/middleeast/samir-khan-killed-by-drone-spun-out-of-the-american-middle-class.html?_r=0;
Mark Schone and Matthew Cole, “American Jihadi Samir Khan Killed With Awlaki,” ABC News, September 30, 2011, http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/american-jihadi-samir-khan-killed-awlaki/story?id=14640013.

Khan was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 1985 to Pakistani parents. His family moved to the United States in 1991, eventually settling in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2004.Oren Adaki, “AQAP publishes biography of American jihadist Samir Khan,” Long War Journal, November 2014, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/11/aqap_releases_biogra_1.php;
Mark Schone and Matthew Cole, “American Jihadi Samir Khan Killed With Awlaki,” ABC News, September 30, 2011, http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/american-jihadi-samir-khan-killed-awlaki/story?id=14640013. According to Musta Elturk, a prominent imam who knew the Khan’s, Samir immersed himself in Islam in order to “stay away from the peer pressure of his teenage days.”Robbie Brown and Kim Severson, “2^nd American in Strike Waged Qaeda Media War,” New York Times, September 30, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/world/middleeast/samir-khan-killed-by-drone-spun-out-of-the-american-middle-class.html?_r=0. Khan wrote for his high school newspaper, a skill that—according to an AQAP biography of Khan released after his death—would help him produce future jihadist publications.Robbie Brown and Kim Severson, “2^nd American in Strike Waged Qaeda Media War,” New York Times, September 30, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/world/middleeast/samir-khan-killed-by-drone-spun-out-of-the-american-middle-class.html?_r=0;
Oren Adaki, “AQAP publishes biography of American jihadist Samir Khan,” Long War Journal, November 2014, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/11/aqap_releases_biogra_1.php.

As a teenager, Khan believed the 9/11 attacks were the result of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, according to his biography. During school, he reportedly refused to recite the pledge of allegiance.Oren Adaki, “AQAP publishes biography of American jihadist Samir Khan,” Long War Journal, November 2014, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/11/aqap_releases_biogra_1.php. Khan began reading extremist websites, and watched videos of suicide bombers in Iraq.Mark Schone and Matthew Cole, “American Jihadi Samir Khan Killed With Awlaki,” ABC News, September 30, 2011, http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/american-jihadi-samir-khan-killed-awlaki/story?id=14640013;
Robbie Brown and Kim Severson, “2^nd American in Strike Waged Qaeda Media War,”  New York Times, September 30, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/world/middleeast/samir-khan-killed-by-drone-spun-out-of-the-american-middle-class.html?_r=0. His father made numerous failed attempts to dissuade Khan from the extremist content by introducing him to various imams and Islamic scholars in his community.Robbie Brown and Kim Severson, “2^nd American in Strike Waged Qaeda Media War,” New York Times, September 30, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/world/middleeast/samir-khan-killed-by-drone-spun-out-of-the-american-middle-class.html?_r=0.

In 2007, Khan launched an online blog called “A Martyr, God Willing,” in which he praised al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and used sarcastic language in order to attract other impressionable western youth, according to ABC News.Mark Schone and Matthew Cole, “American Jihadi Samir Khan Killed With Awlaki,” ABC News, September 30, 2011, http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/american-jihadi-samir-khan-killed-awlaki/story?id=14640013. In an interview in 2007 with the New York Times, Khan admitted that his favorite online video depicted a suicide bomber striking a U.S. military base in Iraq. Khan described the video as “something that brought great happiness to me…because this is something America would never want to admit, that they are being crushed.”Mark Schone and Matthew Cole, “American Jihadi Samir Khan Killed With Awlaki,” ABC News, September 30, 2011, http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/american-jihadi-samir-khan-killed-awlaki/story?id=14640013;
Michael Moss and Souad Mekhennet, “An Internet Jihad Aims at U.S. Viewers,” New York Times, October 15, 2007, http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/15/us/15net.html?_r=0. Khan spent several years disseminating extremist content online while living in his father’s house.Mark Schone and Matthew Cole, “American Jihadi Samir Khan Killed With Awlaki,” ABC News, September 30, 2011, http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/american-jihadi-samir-khan-killed-awlaki/story?id=14640013.

In early 2009, while living in North Carolina, Khan created an online English-language magazine titled Jihad Recollections, which was ultimately released by al-Qaeda’s al-Furan Media. The publication called for attacks against non-Muslims, and was reported to be the precursor to AQAP’s Inspire. During this time, Khan was in contact with U.S. extremist Jesse Morton, who operated the extremist website revolutionmuslim.com. According to the FBI, Morton authorized Khan to post content on his website, and also provided Khan with two articles for Jihad Recollections. Khan released four issues of Jihad Recollections before traveling to Sana’a, Yemen, in October 2009 to join AQAP.Mark Schone and Matthew Cole, “American Jihadi Samir Khan Killed With Awlaki,” ABC News, September 30, 2011, http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/american-jihadi-samir-khan-killed-awlaki/story?id=14640013;
Eric Shawn, “Glossy Internet Magazine Targets Americans for Jihad Training,” Fox News, May 1, 2009, http://www.foxnews.com/story/2009/05/01/glossy-internet-magazine-targets-americans-for-jihad-training.html;
“Jihad Recollections,” SITE Intelligence Group, accessed 6/10/2016, https://ent.siteintelgroup.com/index.php?option=com_customproperties&view=search&tagId=452&Itemid=726;
“Leader of Revolution Muslim Pleads Guilty to Using Internet to Solicit Murder and Encourage Violent Extremism,” FBI, February 9, 2012, https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/washingtondc/press-releases/2012/leader-of-revolution-muslim-pleads-guilty-to-using-internet-to-solicit-murder-and-encourage-violent-extremism.

As a member of AQAP, Khan was reportedly mentored by Anwar al-Awlaki, who took interest in Khan’s blogging and online magazine experience. Al-Awlaki, who typically relied on traditional sermons, reportedly saw value in Khan’s computer skills—as well as his unique ability to use American vernacular—in order to recruit young Muslims.Mark Schone and Matthew Cole, “American Jihadi Samir Khan Killed With Awlaki,” ABC News, September 30, 2011, http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/american-jihadi-samir-khan-killed-awlaki/story?id=14640013;
Oren Adaki, “AQAP publishes biography of American jihadist Samir Khan,” Long War Journal, November 2014, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/11/aqap_releases_biogra_1.php.

Khan released the first issue of Inspire magazine in the summer of 2010. Inspire, which he reportedly called “America’s worst nightmare,” was a revitalized version of Jihad Recollections, according to AQAP’s biography of Khan.Oren Adaki, “AQAP publishes biography of American jihadist Samir Khan,” Long War Journal, November 2014, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/11/aqap_releases_biogra_1.php. Starting in 2010, Khan reportedly worked alongside Minh Quang Pham, a Vietnamese-born British convert to Islam who used his graphic design skills to help edit the magazine. Pham was later arrested in June 2012 in the United Kingdom after attempting to prepare a suicide attack on London Heathrow International Airport.“Minh Quang Pham,” Counter Extremism Project, accessed June, 10, 2016, http://www.counterextremism.com/extremists/minh-quang-pham.

Khan went on to edit seven more issues of Inspire, to which he contributed numerous articles. Inspire called for lone wolf attacks in the U.S., featured sermons by clerics such as al-Awlaki, and glorified al-Qaeda leaders including Ayman al-Zawahiri and Osama bin Laden. Khan was responsible for authoring an infamous article titled “How to Build a Bomb in the Kitchen of Your Mom,” which provided instructions on rudimentary bomb making.Oren Adaki, “AQAP publishes biography of American jihadist Samir Khan,” Long War Journal, November 2014, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/11/aqap_releases_biogra_1.php. A copy of the article was reportedly found on the laptop of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who carried out the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings alongside his brother, Tamerlan. The perpetrators of the December 2015 San Bernardino shooting, Syed Rizwan Farook and Tafsheen Malik, reportedly “reviewed instructions on how to make IEDs that were in Inspire Magazine,” according to the U.S. Department of Justice.Richard Vladmanis, “Boston bomb suspect influenced by Al Qaeda: expert witness,” Reuters, March 23, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-boston-bombings-trial-idUSKBN0MJ0Z620150323;
“California Man Charged with Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Terrorism and Being ‘Straw Purchaser’ of Assault Rifles Ultimately Used in San Bernardino, California, Attack,” U.S. Department of Justice, December 17, 2015, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/california-man-charged-conspiring-provide-material-support-terrorism-and-being-straw. According to Ben Venzke, CEO of the private intelligence firm IntelCenter, Inspire provides individuals in the West with “inspiration, ideological framework, targeting philosophy and practical mechanics of building a bomb or conducting a shooting.”Suzanne Kelly, “Samir Khan: Proud to be an American traitor,” CNN, September 30, 2011, http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/30/world/meast/analysis-yemen-samir-khan/.

Khan was killed alongside Anwar al-Awlaki in a September 30, 2011, U.S. drone strike that specifically targeted al-Awlaki.Jere Van Dyk, “Who were the 4 U.S. citizens killed in drone strikes?,” CBS News, May 23, 2013, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/who-were-the-4-us-citizens-killed-in-drone-strikes/. AQAP continues to publish Inspire.“Issue 14 of AQAP’s “Inspire” Magazine Focuses on Assassinations, Provides targets and Methods,” SITE Intelligence, September 9, 2015, http://news.siteintelgroup.com/blog/index.php/categories/jihad/entry/397-issue-14-of-aqap%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%9Cinspire%E2%80%9D-magazine-focuses-on-assassinations,-provides-targets-and-methods.

Ali Muhammad Brown is an American Islamic extremist responsible for four 2014 murders that he claimed were to take “vengeance” against U.S. policy in the Middle East.Sara Jean Green, “Seattle man on ‘jihad’ pleads guilty to murder in New Jersey, admits to 3 other homicides in King County,” Seattle Times, March 7, 2018, https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/seattle-man-on-jihad-pleads-guilty-to-murder-in-new-jersey-admits-to-3-other-homicides-in-king-county/; “COPS: Self-styled jihadist admits to killing 4 people, calls it ‘vengeance’ for U.S. actions in Mideast,” Q13 Fox, August 20, 2014, http://q13fox.com/2014/08/20/police-man-admits-to-4-murders-calls-them-vengeance-for-u-s-actions-in-mideast/. Prior to the murders, Brown wrote in his journal that he intended to “follow” ISIS and “learn proper ways of jihadi training.”Ben Finley, “Prosecutor: Seattle man charged with killing 4 was on terrorism watch list,” Seattle Times, January 20, 2016, www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/hearing-set-for-seattle-man-charged-in-nj-murder-terrorism-case/. Brown is also believed to have supplied funds to the Somali-based terror group al-Shabaab, and was on a federal terrorism watch list.Chris Ingalls, “Seattle murder suspect tied to former terrorism ring,” King 5 News, August 20, 2014, https://web.archive.org/web/20141216023957/http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2014/08/20/shumpert-ali-muhammad-brown/14361609. In November of 2016 he was sentenced to 36 ½ years in prison for armed robbery and weapons charges,Bill Wichert, “Accused Brendan Tevlin killer gets lengthy prison term in armed robbery,” NJ.com, January 20, 2016, www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2016/01/accused_brendan_tevlin_killer_gets_lengthy_prison.html. and in April 2018 he was sentenced to life in prison without parole for murder. Both convictions were in New Jersey.David Porter, “Former Seattle Man Who Admitted 3 Killings Here is Sentenced to Life Without Parole for N.J. Murder,” Seattle Times, May 1, 2018, https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/former-seattle-resident-on-jihad-sentenced-to-life-without-parole-for-murder/. Brown was later extradited to Washington, where he faces three further counts of murder.Sara Jean Green, “Man Accused in 2014 ‘Jihad’ Killing Spree Brought Back to Seattle to Face 3 Aggravated Murder Charges,” Seattle Times, October 31, 2019, https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/man-accused-in-2014-killing-spree-brought-back-to-seattle-to-face-3-aggravated-murder-charges/. On September 9, 2022, Brown was sentenced to an additional 93 years in prison for three counts of premeditated first-degree murder.Sara Jean Green, “Man already serving life in New Jersey sentenced to 93 years for killing 3 Seattle-area men in 2014,” Seattle Times, September 10, 2022, https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/man-already-serving-life-in-new-jersey-sentenced-to-93-years-for-killing-3-seattle-area-men-in-2014/.

Brown was born in the United States in the mid-1980s. At the time of his first killing, he lived in Seattle, Washington, though news reports characterized Brown as “homeless” or “transient.”Ashley Fantz, Pamela Brown and Aaron Cooper, “Police: Seattle man’s hatred of U.S. foreign policy motivated killings,” CNN, September 16, 2014, www.cnn.com/2014/09/16/justice/ali-brown-charges-killing-spree/; Nicole Hensley, “Seattle fugitive suspected of killing two gay men nabbed in New Jersey,” New York Daily News, July 19, 2014, www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/man-sought-seattle-gay-hate-crime-murders-nabbed-new-jersey-article-1.1873190.

Between January 2002 and November 2004, Brown and three other men allegedly committed check fraud in order to fund al-Shabaab. The men deposited fake checks to numerous banks, including Bank of America and Wells Fargo, and withdrew funds before the checks bounced. Christine Clarridge, “Defendant calls four slayings justified, charging papers say,” Seattle Times, August 21, 2014, www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/defendant-calls-four-slayings-justified-charging-papers-say/. Brown was convicted on bank fraud charges, but federal agents were unable to prove the funds ultimately supported terrorism. Ruben Shumpert, the leader of the ring, was absent at his 2006 federal sentencing and is believed to have been killed while fighting for al-Shabaab.Chris Ingalls, “Seattle murder suspect tied to former terrorism ring,” King 5 News, August 20, 2014, https://web.archive.org/web/20141216023957/http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2014/08/20/shumpert-ali-muhammad-brown/14361609. In 2008, Brown was convicted on charges of assault.Christine Clarridge, “Defendant calls four slayings justified, charging papers say,” Seattle Times, August 21, 2014, www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/defendant-calls-four-slayings-justified-charging-papers-say/. In 2012, he was convicted on charges of communication with a minor for immoral purposes and was sentenced to a year in prison.Bill Wichert, “Accused Brendan Tevlin killer gets lengthy prison term in armed robbery,” NJ.com, January 20, 2016, www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2016/01/accused_brendan_tevlin_killer_gets_lengthy_prison.html.

In April 2014, Brown drove up behind a pedestrian named Leroy Henderson in Skyway, Washington, and shot him 10 times in the back. The two men did not know each other.John K. Pavlovich, “Certification for Determination of Probable Cause,” King County Sherriff’s Office, August 18, 2014, 1, documents.latimes.com/ali-muhammad-brown-says-he-killed-four-men-gain-vengeance-against-us/; “COPS: Self-styled jihadist admits to killing 4 people, calls it ‘vengeance’ for U.S. actions in Mideast,” Q13 Fox, August 20, 2014, q13fox.com/2014/08/20/police-man-admits-to-4-murders-calls-them-vengeance-for-u-s-actions-in-mideast/. On June 1, 2014, Brown, utilizing a dating app, met two gay men, Dwone Anderson-Young and Ahmed Said, at a Seattle gay club.Nicole Hensley, “Seattle fugitive suspected of killing two gay men nabbed in New Jersey,” New York Daily News, July 19, 2014, www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/man-sought-seattle-gay-hate-crime-murders-nabbed-new-jersey-article-1.1873190. The three men returned to the home of one of the victims, and, according to a police report, Brown “executed” them in the street. Later in June, in West Orange, New Jersey, Brown and two suspected co-conspirators drove up next to a car operated by Brendan Tevlin at a traffic light. Brown exited the car and shot Tevlin—whom he did not know—eight times at close range.John K. Pavlovich, “Certification for Determination of Probable Cause,” King County Sherriff’s Office, August 18, 2014, 9, documents.latimes.com/ali-muhammad-brown-says-he-killed-four-men-gain-vengeance-against-us/. Brown made use of fake IDs, camouflage, and disguises to evade the police for nearly a month following the final killing.Bill Wichert, “Accused Brendan Tevlin killer gets lengthy prison term in armed robbery,” NJ.com, January 20, 2016, www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2016/01/accused_brendan_tevlin_killer_gets_lengthy_prison.html.

As revealed in police interviews after the murders, in spring 2014 Brown felt compelled to act against the United States as vengeance for civilians, particularly children, whom Brown claimed were being killed by the U.S. government in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and Iran. As Brown later said in a police interview, “[if] a man sees evil then he must take action against that evil.” Brown further admitted in his interview that he sought out adult males unaccompanied by females, children, or the elderly. He referred to these men as “just kills.”John K. Pavlovich, “Certification for Determination of Probable Cause,” King County Sherriff’s Office, August 18, 2014, 6, documents.latimes.com/ali-muhammad-brown-says-he-killed-four-men-gain-vengeance-against-us/.

Following the final murder, Brown robbed two New Jersey men in separate incidents on June 29 and July 10.David Rose, “Double murder suspect wanted in Seattle, Ali Muhammad Brown, arrested in New Jersey,” Q13 Fox, July 18, 2014, q13fox.com/2014/07/18/ali-muhammed-brown-seattle-police-searching-for-double-murder-suspect/; Bill Wichert, “Accused Brendan Tevlin killer gets lengthy prison term in armed robbery,” NJ.com, January 20, 2016, www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2016/01/accused_brendan_tevlin_killer_gets_lengthy_prison.html. On July 18, police discovered Brown hiding in the woods in a makeshift shelter in West Orange, New Jersey, only a couple hundred yards from the site of the July 10 robbery.Eric Kiefer, “Accused ‘Terrorist’ Convicted Of Armed Robbery In N.J.,” Montclair Patch, November 18, 2015, patch.com/new-jersey/montclair/accused-terrorist-convicted-armed-robbery-nj-0.

In late July 2014, the state of New Jersey charged Brown with first-degree murder and first-degree robbery, among others.Eric Kiefer, “Slaying Suspect Maintains Innocence for Unrelated Robbery Charge,” Livingston Patch, March 23, 2015, patch.com/new-jersey/livingston/slaying-suspect-maintains-innocence-unrelated-robbery-charge-0. The state of Washington later charged Brown on three counts of first-degree aggravated murder in August 2014.“NJ student’s accused killer also charged with 3 murders in Wash.,” CBS News, August 21, 2014, www.cbsnews.com/news/new-jersey-students-accused-killer-also-charged-with-three-murders-in-washington/;
Liam Stack, “Man Accused in Killing Is Indicted on Terrorism Charges, a First for New Jersey,” New York Times, July 2, 2015, www.nytimes.com/2015/07/03/nyregion/man-accused-in-killing-is-indicted-on-terrorism-charges-a-first-for-new-jersey.html?_r=0. In July 2015, Brown was indicted on terrorism charges in New Jersey—making it the first time New Jersey prosecutors used terrorism charges against a defendant in a murder case. Liam Stack, “Man Accused in Killing Is Indicted on Terrorism Charges, a First for New Jersey,” New York Times, July 2, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/03/nyregion/man-accused-in-killing-is-indicted-on-terrorism-charges-a-first-for-new-jersey.html?_r=0.

In August 2015, Brown pleaded “not guilty” to all charges in New Jersey.Bill Witchert, “Brendan Tevlin executed for being an American, mother says,” NJ.com, August 4, 2015, www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2015/08/brendan_tevlin_executed_for_being_an_american_moth.html#incart_river. In January 2016, a New Jersey court sentenced Brown to 36 ½ years in prison for robbery and weapons charges. On March 6, 2018, Brown  pleaded guilty to Tevlin’s murder  and to the murder of the three men in Seattle.Thomas Moriarty, “Terror-inspired killer admits gunning down Brendan Tevlin, 3 others,” Seattle Times, March 6, 2018, http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2018/03/ali_muhammad_brown_pleads_guilty_in_brendan_tevlin.html. On April 24, 2018, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in New Jersey. At sentencing, Judge Ronald Wigler called Brown’s killing of Tevlin “one of the most heinous, horrific, brutal crimes” he had witnessed in eight years on the bench.David Porter, “Former Seattle Man Who Admitted 3 Killings Here is Sentenced to Life Without Parole for N.J. Murder,” Seattle Times, May 1, 2018, https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/former-seattle-resident-on-jihad-sentenced-to-life-without-parole-for-murder/.

On October 30, 2019, Brown was extradited to Washington and booked into King’s County jail, following an executive agreement between the governors of New Jersey and Washington. He faces three charges of aggravated first-degree murder.Sara Jean Green, “Man Accused in 2014 ‘Jihad’ Killing Spree Brought Back to Seattle to Face 3 Aggravated Murder Charges,” Seattle Times, October 31, 2019, https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/man-accused-in-2014-killing-spree-brought-back-to-seattle-to-face-3-aggravated-murder-charges/. On November 13, 2019, he pleaded not guilty to all three counts. Once his Washington case is adjudicated, he will be returned to New Jersey to serve his life sentence there.Sara Jean Green, “Man Accused in 2014 ‘Jihad’ Killing Spree Enters Not-Guilty Pleas to 3 Counts of Aggravated First-Degree Murder,” Seattle Times, November 13, 2019, https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/man-accused-in-2014-jihad-killing-spree-enters-not-guilty-pleas-to-3-counts-of-aggravated-first-degree-murder/.

A few years later on September 9, 2022, Brown appeared at King County Superior Court in Seattle where he was sentenced to 93 years in prison for three counts of premeditated first-degree murder. Brown will be returned to New Jersey to finish out his sentence.Sara Jean Green, “Man already serving life in New Jersey sentenced to 93 years for killing 3 Seattle-area men in 2014,” Seattle Times, September 10, 2022, https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/man-already-serving-life-in-new-jersey-sentenced-to-93-years-for-killing-3-seattle-area-men-in-2014/.

On December 14, 2015, the FBI arrested then-30-year-old Mohamed Yousef Elshinawy at his home in Edgewood, Maryland.Alan Goldman, “Maryland man accused of receiving $9,000 from ISIS to carry out attack on American soil,” Washington Post, December 14, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/maryland-man-charged-with-supporting-the-islamic-state/2015/12/14/1d8eafb2-a277-11e5-ad3f-991ce3374e23_story.html. Elshinawy was charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, obstruction of agency proceedings, and making material false statements and falsifying or concealing material facts.Alan Goldman, “Maryland man accused of receiving $9,000 from ISIS to carry out attack on American soil,” Washington Post, December 14, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/maryland-man-charged-with-supporting-the-islamic-state/2015/12/14/1d8eafb2-a277-11e5-ad3f-991ce3374e23_story.html. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MOHAMED ELSHINAWY – JUDGEMENT IN A CRIMINAL CASE,” United States District Court – District of Maryland, April 2, 2018, https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs2191/f/Mohamed%20Elshinawy%20Judgment.pdf, 2-3.

Elshinawy was taken into custody after he allegedly received thousands of dollars from ISIS operatives. ISIS militants reportedly instructed Elshinawy to commit an attack similar to the thwarted May 2015 attack at the “Draw Muhammad” contest in Garland, Texas. Elshinawy had allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS and desired to die as a martyr.Alan Goldman, “Maryland man accused of receiving $9,000 from ISIS to carry out attack on American soil,” Washington Post, December 14, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/maryland-man-charged-with-supporting-the-islamic-state/2015/12/14/1d8eafb2-a277-11e5-ad3f-991ce3374e23_story.html.

Elshinawy received money from ISIS operatives via both PayPal and Western Union. He received at least $8,700 between March and June 2015, and used a portion of this money to purchase a laptop computer, a cell phone, calling cards, Internet hotspot access, and a private VPN network. The cell phones, laptops, and Internet access purchases were allegedly used to communicate with ISIS militants overseas.“United States of America v. Mohamed Elshinawy,” United States District Court for the District of Maryland, December 11, 2015, 12, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/798901/download.

Elshinawy has denied any plan to attack the United States, insisting that he only wanted to take money from ISIS, who he called “thieves.”Alan Goldman, “Maryland man accused of receiving $9,000 from ISIS to carry out attack on American soil,” Washington Post, December 14, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/maryland-man-charged-with-supporting-the-islamic-state/2015/12/14/1d8eafb2-a277-11e5-ad3f-991ce3374e23_story.html.

Monitored communications between Elshinawy and an unnamed childhood friend revealed that Elshinawy was allegedly planning to join his friend overseas and fight for ISIS. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Elshinawy had instructed his friend to listen to the “lessons of [Abu Mohammed] al-Adnani,” ISIS’s official spokesman.“United States of America v. Mohamed Elshinawy,” United States District Court for the District of Maryland, December 11, 2015, 13, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/798901/download.

On August 15, 2017, Elshinawy pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to provide material support to ISIS, collection of terrorist financing, and making false statements in a terrorism matter.Lynh Bui, “Md. Man Pleads Guilty to Accepting Nearly $9,000 to Help Carry Out U.S. Terrorist Attack,” Washington Post, August 15, 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/md-man-pleads-guilty-to-accepting-nearly-9000-to-help-carry-out-us-terror-attack/2017/08/15/88fb2dc8-81fc-11e7-ab27-1a21a8e006ab_story.html. On March 30, 2018, he was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by 15 years of post-release supervision.“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MOHAMED ELSHINAWY – JUDGEMENT IN A CRIMINAL CASE,” United States District Court – District of Maryland, April 2, 2018, https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs2191/f/Mohamed%20Elshinawy%20Judgment.pdf, 2-3. Elshinawy is currently incarcerated at Petersburg Medium Federal Correctional Institution, in Hopewell, Virginia, with a scheduled release date of December 25, 2032.“MOHAMED ELSHINAWY,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed April 15, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.