Amir Said Abdul Rahman al-Ghazi, a U.S. citizen previously known as Robert C. McCollum, is a homegrown extremist and supporter of ISIS.Jen Steer, “Man arrested on terrorism-related charges in North Olmsted,” Fox 8 Cleveland, June 19, 2015, http://fox8.com/2015/06/19/man-arrested-on-terrorism-related-charges-in-north-olmsted/. Ghazi caught the attention of the FBI through his online propagandizing for ISIS, including his online pledge of allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.ldquo;Criminal Complaint,” United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, June 19, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/479731/download. In June 2015, Ghazi was arrested and charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, possession of a firearm as a felon, and drug distribution.“U.S. Citizen Arrested for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL and Other Federal Offenses,” FBI, June 19, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/cleveland/press-releases/2015/u.s.-citizen-arrested-for-attempting-to-provide-material-support-to-isil-and-other-federal-offenses. He pleaded guilty to those charges on March 16, 2016,Phil Helsel, “Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Trying to Help ISIS,” NBC News, March 16, 2016, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ohio-man-pleads-guilty-trying-help-isis-n540466. and was sentenced to 16 years in prison.“Ohio Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Providing Support to ISIS, Being a Felon in Possession of Firearms,” U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Public Affairs, June 20, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ohio-man-sentenced-16-years-prison-providing-support-isis-being-felon-possession-firearms.
The FBI employed several confidential human sources (CHS), or informants, to monitor, interact with, and collect information on Ghazi. According to the FBI’s criminal complaint, Ghazi expressed to the CHS his desire to create ISIS propaganda videos and to conduct terrorist attacks in the U.S.Jen Steer, “Man arrested on terrorism-related charges in North Olmsted,” Fox 8 Cleveland, June 19, 2015, http://fox8.com/2015/06/19/man-arrested-on-terrorism-related-charges-in-north-olmsted/.
Ghazi was arrested in June 2015 after purchasing an AK-47 rifle from an undercover agent. According to the FBI, Ghazi had planned to use the rifle as a prop in self-made propaganda videos supporting ISIS. After Ghazi’s arrest, agents also discovered a handgun, sword, and ISIS flag at Ghazi’s home. On March 16, 2016, Ghazi pled guilty to attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and firearms charges.Phil Helsel, “Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Trying to Help ISIS,” NBC News, March 16, 2016, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ohio-man-pleads-guilty-trying-help-isis-n540466. On June 20, 2018, he was sentenced to 16 years in prison.“Ohio Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Providing Support to ISIS, Being a Felon in Possession of Firearms,” U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Public Affairs, June 20, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ohio-man-sentenced-16-years-prison-providing-support-isis-being-felon-possession-firearms.
Attempted domestic terrorist: Arrested in June 2015 after purchasing an AK-47 from an undercover FBI agent in preparation for a domestic attack. Ghazi pled guilty in March 2016 to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, ISIS, and to two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.
Converted to Islam from Methodism during a previous drug-related incarceration, according to his mother. Ghazi’s mother said that Islam became an “anchor” for him and made him a better person. Ghazi formally changed his name from Robert McCallum to Amir Said Abdul Rahman al-Ghazi in 2014, and Ghazi’s mother began noticing concerning changes in her son in early 2015. (Estimated age at conversion: 38)
Pled guilty in March 2016 to attempting to provide material support to ISIS. Pledged support to ISIS and tried to convince others to join the group. Expressed his desire to carry out a terrorist attack in the United States and bought a firearm. Attempted to produce a propaganda video for ISIS.
Told a FBI undercover operative that ISIS released a new video, and showed an operative a video of ISIS members praising the group’s online supporters. A FBI undercover operative also sent him a link to an ISIS video on YouTube.
Heather Elizabeth Coffman is a U.S. citizen from Virginia who “cultivated online relationships with individuals she believed were ISIS facilitators operating in Syria,” according to the FBI.“Glen Allen Woman Sentenced to 4 ½ Years in Prison for Making False Statements in an International Terrorism Investigation,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 11, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/glen-allen-woman-sentenced-4-years-prison-making-false-statements-international. Coffman operated multiple Facebook accounts to propagandize for ISIS, and shared jihadist contacts with a foreign national, “N.A.,” who hoped to join ISIS in Syria.“Glen Allen Woman Sentenced to 4 ½ Years in Prison for Making False Statements in an International Terrorism Investigation,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 11, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/glen-allen-woman-sentenced-4-years-prison-making-false-statements-international. Coffman then lied to the FBI about her involvement with N.A. and an undercover FBI agent posing as an ISIS sympathizer.“Virginia Woman Sentenced for Making False Statements in an International Terrorism Investigation,” FBI, May 11, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/richmond/press-releases/2015/virginia-woman-sentenced-for-making-false-statements-in-an-international-terrorism-investigation.; “United States of America v. Heather Elizabeth Coffman, Defendant, Statement of Facts,” U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia Richmond Division, February 2, 2015. Coffman pled guilty in February 2015 to making false statements in an international terrorism investigation.“Glen Allen Woman Pleads Guilty to Making a False,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 2, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/press-release-24. In May 2015, a federal court sentenced her to 54 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.“Glen Allen Woman Sentenced to 4 ½ Years in Prison for Making False Statements in an International Terrorism Investigation,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 11, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/glen-allen-woman-sentenced-4-years-prison-making-false-statements-international. Coffman was released in December 2017.Jessica Donati, “U.S. Prisons Allow Extremism to Fester, Study Warns,” Wall Street Journal, February 6, 2018, https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-prisons-allow-extremism-to-fester-study-warns-1517930107.
Coffman maintained a romantic relationship with N.A. during the summer of 2014 while helping him explore options to travel to Syria in order to join ISIS and die a “Shaheed,” or martyr.“Glen Allen Woman Pleads Guilty to Making a False,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 2, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/press-release-24. Coffman and N.A. listed their Facebook relationship statuses as engaged or married to each other between June and September 2014, during which time they spoke almost daily on Skype, Facebook, and other platforms.“United States of America v. Heather Elizabeth Coffman, Defendant, Statement of Facts,” U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia Richmond Division, February 2, 2015. Coffman put N.A. in contact with ISIS fighters to help N.A. travel to Syria.“Glen Allen Woman Pleads Guilty to Making a False,” U.S. Department of Justice, February 2, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/press-release-24. N.A. backed out of the plan in September 2014, and Coffman later told the FBI that she did not know whether N.A. had talked to other ISIS supporters, even though she had given him the relevant contacts.“Virginia Woman Sentenced for Making False Statements in an International Terrorism Investigation,” FBI, May 11, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/richmond/press-releases/2015/virginia-woman-sentenced-for-making-false-statements-in-an-international-terrorism-investigation.
Coffman reportedly lived with her parents and 7-year-old son while working at a store in the Chesterfield Towne Center in Virginia.Matt Zapotosky, “Virginia woman accused of attempting to aid Islamic State,” Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/va-woman-accused-of-attempting-to-support-isis/2014/11/17/060c250c-6e8b-11e4-893f-86bd390a3340_story.html.; Kelly Avellino, “Friend of Henrico ISIS supporter says she was ‘brainwashed,’” NBC 12, last updated November 29, 2014, http://www.nbc12.com/story/27430784/friend-of-henrico-isis-supporter-says-she-was-brainwashed. Angela Burton, a close friend who worked at a neighboring store in the mall, told media Coffman only began on an Islamic path about a year before her arrest.Kelly Avellino, “Friend of Henrico ISIS supporter says she was ‘brainwashed,’” NBC 12, last updated November 29, 2014, http://www.nbc12.com/story/27430784/friend-of-henrico-isis-supporter-says-she-was-brainwashed. Burton believed Coffman had been “manipulated and brainwashed into supporting ISIS.”Kelly Avellino, “Friend of Henrico ISIS supporter says she was ‘brainwashed,’” NBC 12, last updated November 29, 2014, http://www.nbc12.com/story/27430784/friend-of-henrico-isis-supporter-says-she-was-brainwashed. Burton also said Coffman had never actually met N.A., despite their claims to be romantically linked.Kelly Avellino, “Friend of Henrico ISIS supporter says she was ‘brainwashed,’” NBC 12, last updated November 29, 2014, http://www.nbc12.com/story/27430784/friend-of-henrico-isis-supporter-says-she-was-brainwashed. Coffman had also begun to indoctrinate her younger sister. She told the FBI her father “is a little angry because I got her into all this jihad stuff.”Matt Zapotosky, “Virginia woman accused of attempting to aid Islamic State,” Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/va-woman-accused-of-attempting-to-support-isis/2014/11/17/060c250c-6e8b-11e4-893f-86bd390a3340_story.html.
Coffman’s ISIS-related Facebook posts received some support from free-speech advocates. John Whitehead, president of the Rutherford Institute civil liberties organization, said the FBI is increasingly targeting people for just “shooting their mouth off.” He said Coffman is “not advocating violence in this country” and that the First Amendment protects “advocating a viewpoint.”Larry O’Dell, “Virginia woman charged in terror case detained,” Associated Press, November 19, 2015, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/29d3936c35914ff4a7e7821d5fcf51c6/va-woman-charged-terror-case-due-court. Daily Beast columnist James Poulos criticized an overzealous FBI for ruining the life of an underprivileged young woman for posting stupid things online.James Poulos, “The FBI’s bogus ISIS bust,” Daily Beast, November 21, 2014, http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/21/the-fbi-s-bogus-isis-bust.html.
Coffman reportedly returned to her family home after her release from prison in December 2017. After announcing her return on Facebook, she began posting new comments in support of strict interpretations of Islam.Jessica Donati, “U.S. Prisons Allow Extremism to Fester, Study Warns,” Wall Street Journal, February 6, 2018, https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-prisons-allow-extremism-to-fester-study-warns-1517930107.
Put a foreign individual in contact with an ISIS facilitator in 2014 in an attempt to facilitate the individual’s travel to join ISIS abroad. Charge with making false statements in an international terrorism investigation, pled guilty, and was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison in May 2015.
Acknowledged that she had viewed videos online of ISIS beheadings.
North California native Donald Ray Morgan was arrested at New York’s John F. Kennedy airport in August 2014 after traveling to Lebanon and Turkey in the hopes of joining ISIS in Syria. Morgan resided in Lebanon for eight months beginning in January 2014, where he advocated ISIS’s cause on Twitter under the alias Abu Omar al-Amreeki. Heleft Lebanon for Turkey in a bid to enter Syria and join ISIS. At the Istanbul airport, however, Morgan was stopped and returned to Lebanon.Sasha Goldstein, “American wannabe ISIS member is ‘practicing Muslim’ hoping to join caliphate,” NY Daily News, September 3, 2014, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/american-wannabe-isis-member-practicing-muslim-hoping-join-caliphate-article-1.1926931.
After returning to the United States, Morgan was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm, and pled guilty to attempting to provide material support to ISIS (as well as to felony possession of a firearm). In May 2015, Morgan was sentenced to a 20-year prison term for aiming to provide material support to ISIS.Lee Ferran, “American Wannabe ISIS Fighter Donald Morgan Gets 20 Years in Prison,” ABC News, May 13, 2015, http://abcnews.go.com/International/american-wannabe-isis-fighter-donald-morgan-20-years/story?id=31009777.
Morgan is currently incarcerated at United States Penitentiary, Marion, in Illinois, with a scheduled release date of May 14, 2032.“DONALD RAY MORGAN,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed April 9, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.
Attempted foreign fighter, North Carolina: Moved to Lebanon in January 2014 and pledged allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi that June. Morgan was arrested upon his return to the United States in August 2014 on charges of attempt to illegally sell a rifle online as a felon. Morgan pled guilty to related charges in October 2014 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Converted in 2008, a year after divorcing his wife. Morgan told NBC News that he first learned about Islam in a college class on contemporary Islam. He worked as a sheriff’s deputy and aspired to join U.S. Special Forces, having previously attended military school. Morgan claimed that he had an epiphany in 2012 that he had to commit to fully practicing Islam, and soon began posting more extreme Facebook posts and wearing traditional Islamic dress. He said he found order and discipline in Islam, and that he supports ISIS “because they’ve proven time and time again to put Islamic law as the priority and the establishment of an Islamic state as the goal.” (Age at conversion: 37-38)
Arrested at New York’s JFK airport after traveling to Lebanon and Turkey in the hopes of joining ISIS in Syria. Sentenced to 20 years in prison in May 2015 for attempting to provide material support to ISIS.
Reportedly retweeted a video of ISIS emir Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Nicholas Rovinski is a U.S. citizen and convicted ISIS supporter from Warwick, Rhode Island.“Criminal Complaint,” U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, June 12, 2015, http://wpri.com/read-criminal-complaint-against-nicholas-rovinski/. Rovinski planned to behead controversial blogger Pamela Geller in New York alongside suspected co-conspirators David Daoud Wright and Usaamah Abdullah Rahim.Elizabeth Barber, “Men charged in Boston beheading plot plead not guilty in court,” Reuters, June 19, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/19/us-massachusetts-police-idUSKBN0OZ14020150619. In the several months before his June 2015 arrest, Rovinski displayed his support for ISIS on various social media platforms including YouTube, Twitter, and Google+.“Criminal Complaint,” U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, June 12, 2015, http://wpri.com/read-criminal-complaint-against-nicholas-rovinski/. Rovinski was sentenced in 2017 to 15 years in prison, but he was granted a compassionate early release in August 2020 and sentenced to 10 years of home confinement.“Judge sentences 2nd man in beheading plot to 15 years,” Associated Press, December 20, 2017, https://apnews.com/4cb4d561f04a4968bd415a74f8619087/Judge-sentences-2nd-man-in-beheading-plot-to-15-years; Alanna Durkin Richer, “Man guilty in terror plot to be released from prison,” Associated Press, August 13, 2020, https://apnews.com/2782ff5114afc13ac1cf6b8ea66764c4#:~:text=Rovinski%20was%20previously%20supposed%20to,Garland%2C%20Texas%2C%20in%202015.
Rovinski is a convert to Islam.Jason Molinet, “Third Boston terror suspect tied to ‘boys in blue’ plot arrested by FBI in Rhode Island,” NY Daily News, June 11, 2015, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/boston-terror-suspect-tied-boys-blue-plot-article-1.2255673. In an interview with the FBI on June 2, 2015, Rovinski told the agents that he believed ISIS’s teachings represented the purest form of Islam, according to the FBI.“AFFIDAVIT OF FBI SPECIAL AGENT JOSEPH GALIETTA,” FBI, June 12, 2015, 18-19, https://cchs.gwu.edu/sites/cchs.gwu.edu/files/downloads/Wright%20Affidavit.pdf. Rovinski also asserted that violence against “crusader governments,” such as the United States, was justified.“Criminal Complaint,” U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, June 12, 2015, http://wpri.com/read-criminal-complaint-against-nicholas-rovinski/. The interview occurred hours after the killing of Usaamah Abdullah Rahim by law enforcement officers in Roslindale, Massachusetts, after Rahim approached the officers with a knife.Adam Goldman, “Well-known ISIS operative instructed Americans to kill organizer of Muhammad cartoon contest, prosecutors reveal,” Washington Post, April 21, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/04/21/well-known-isis-operative-instructed-americans-to-kill-organizer-of-muhammad-cartoon-contest-prosecutors-reveal/. The FBI arrested Rovinski in Rhode Island on June 11, 2015.Jason Molinet, “Third Boston terror suspect tied to ‘boys in blue’ plot arrested by FBI in Rhode Island,” NY Daily Mail, June 11, 2015, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/boston-terror-suspect-tied-boys-blue-plot-article-1.2255673. He was charged the next day with conspiracy to provide material support to ISIS.“Two Men Charged with Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to Islamic State,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 12, 2015, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/two-men-charged-conspiracy-provide-material-support-islamic-state.
Rovinski pled not guilty to charges on June 19, 2015.Elizabeth Barber, “Men charged in Boston beheading plot plead not guilty in court,” Reuters, June 19, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/19/us-massachusetts-police-idUSKBN0OZ14020150619. In a superseding indictment in April 2016, prosecutors charged Rovinski with conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries. According to the indictment, in August 2015 Rovinski wrote a pledge of support to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi on the back of the criminal complaint charging Rovinski. Additionally, while in jail, Rovinski attempted to recruit people in order to carry out domestic attacks in the United States and “decapitate non-believers,” according to the FBI.“First Superseding Indictment: United States of America v. David Daoud Wright and Nicholas Alexander Rovinski,” U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts, April 21, 2016, 7-12.
On September 22, 2016, Rovinski pled guilty to charges of conspiracy to support ISIS and to committing acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries. During his plea, Rovinski told the court that he felt that “in the interest of myself and the people of the United States I should pay for my crimes.”Milton J. Valencia, “R.I. man pleads guilty to ISIS conspiracy,” Boston Globe, September 22, 2016, https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/09/22/man-admits-conspiracy-support-isis/4LtgQEMBcE9SCdLTUxzAbP/story.html. Rovinski was sentenced to 15 years in prison in December 2017.“Judge sentences 2nd man in beheading plot to 15 years,” Associated Press, December 20, 2017, https://apnews.com/4cb4d561f04a4968bd415a74f8619087/Judge-sentences-2nd-man-in-beheading-plot-to-15-years.
In July 2020, Rovinski asked his attorneys to petition for a compassionate early release. Rovinski’s attorneys argued that he was at high risk of contracting COVID-19 because he suffered from cerebral palsy, hypertension, and depression.Tim White, “Judge considering releasing Warwick man convicted in terror plot from prison,” WPRI Eyewitness News, July 22, 2020, https://www.wpri.com/target-12/judge-considering-releasing-warwick-man-convicted-in-terror-plot-from-prison/. On August 13, U.S. District Judge William Young reduced Rovinski’s sentence to time served and ordered his release. Young ordered Rovinski to spend the next 10 years in home confinement with electronic monitoring.Alanna Durkin Richer, “Man guilty in terror plot to be released from prison,” Associated Press, August 13, 2020, https://apnews.com/2782ff5114afc13ac1cf6b8ea66764c4#:~:text=Rovinski%20was%20previously%20supposed%20to,Garland%2C%20Texas%2C%20in%202015.
Attempted domestic terrorist, Rhode Island: Accused of plotting to behead controversial blogger Pamela Geller in New York alongside suspected co-conspirators David Daoud Wright and Usaamah Abdullah Rahim. Rovinski was arrested in June 2015. He confessed to FBI agents that he was “at war” with non-ISIS supporters. Rovinski pledged support to ISIS and attempted to recruit others to jihad while in prison. Rovinski pled guilty in September 2016 to conspiracy to support ISIS and to committing acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries.
Converted to Islam in 2013. Rovinski told CNN he had been an agnostic but his search for “truth and guidance” had led him to Islam. Rovinski also told CNN that he kept his radical interpretation of Islam a secret when he attended a local mosque. Rovinski said in an affidavit he was “drawn to the teachings of [ISIS] because they represent the most pure and honest form of the religion.”
(Estimated age at conversion: 22)
Planned to behead controversial blogger Pamela Geller in New York alongside David Daoud Wright and Usaamah Abdullah Rahim. Charged with conspiracy to provide material support to ISIS in June 2015 and pled guilty in September 2016.
Uploaded and favorited ISIS nasheeds and propaganda videos on YouTube. In one of these videos, individuals were called upon to become martyrs.
Mohammed Mizanur Rahman is a British preacher and convicted ISIS supporter.Vikram Dodd, “Anjem Choudary denies breaking terrorism laws,” Guardian (London), June 28, 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/28/anjem-choudary-denies-breaking-terrorism-laws; Cassandra Vinograd, “Anjem Choudary, Radical Cleric, Charged With Supporting ISIS: Scotland Yard,” NBC News, August 5, 2015, http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/anjem-choudary-radical-cleric-charged-supporting-isis-scotland-yard-n404381;
“Anjem Choudary and Mohammed Rahman convicted of inviting support for Daesh,” Crown Prosecution Service, August 16, 2016, http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/latest_news/anjem_choudary_and_mohammed_rahman_convicted_of_inviting_support_for_daesh/;
Mizanur Rahman, Twitter post, June 12, 2015, 4:13 p.m., https://twitter.com/Abu_Baraa1/status/609498866312970240. He and his close associate, radical British cleric Anjem Choudary, were arrested in September 2014 for suspected membership in ISIS.Martin Evans, “Anjem Choudary charged with supporting a terror organization,” Telegraph (London), http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11784970/Anjem-Choudary-charged-with-supporting-a-terror-organisation.html. Rahman and Choudary were convicted in July 2016 of inviting support for the terror group and both were subsequently sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison.“Anjem Choudary and Mohammed Rahman convicted of inviting support for Daesh,” Crown Prosecution Service, August 16, 2016, http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/latest_news/anjem_choudary_and_mohammed_rahman_convicted_of_inviting_support_for_daesh/; Alexis Flynn and Jenny Gross, “U.K. Preacher Anjem Choudary Convicted of Inviting Support for Islamic State,” Wall Street Journal, August 16, 2016, http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-preacher-anjem-choudary-convicted-of-supporting-islamic-state-1471361122; Stephen Castle, “Anjem Choudary Is Sentenced to Prison for Promoting ISIS,” New York Times, September 6, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/07/world/europe/anjem-choudary-sentenced-isis.html.
Rahman has a long history of interaction with individual extremists and groups. At age 17, Rahman met Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammed—the former leader of the U.K. branch of global Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir and banned British Islamist group al-Muhajiroun—at a lecture in Britain. Bakri Mohammed—who is now incarcerated in Beirut—reportedly played a crucial role in shaping Rahman’s extremist outlook.Kevin Sullivan, “Police call him an ISIS recruiter. He says he’s just an outspoken preacher,” Washington Post, November 23, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/police-call-him-an-isis-recruiter-he-says-hes-just-an-outspoken-preacher/2015/11/23/924d8f6e-8a15-11e5-9a07-453018f9a0ec_story.html.
Rahman also has a history of incarceration on incitement charges. From 2007 to 2010, Rahman spent time in prison after following his conviction on charges of inciting violence and soliciting the murder of American and British troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.“Muslim ‘wanted new 9/11’ in All Over Europe,” Sun (London), November 4, 2006, http://www.unitedcopts.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=311&catid=15&Itemid=124;
“Cartoons protester found guilty,” BBC News, November 9, 2006, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6133516.stm;
Mark Duell, “Islamic hate preacher praises terrorist group which kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls as being ‘full of good messages,’” Daily Mail (London), May 29, 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2642913/Police-probe-Islamic-preacher-praised-terrorist-group-Boko-Haram-kidnapped-Nigerian-schoolgirls.html. In 2008, Rahman briefly took part in the U.K.’s national counter-extremism program, Prevent.Michael Holden, “Why Britain is still losing its fight against radicalization,” Reuters, October 13, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-britain-radicalisation-idUSKCN0I20ET20141013.
Before his September 2014 arrest, Rahman broadcasted his lectures via YouTube and FacebookMizanur Rahman, Twitter post, June 16, 2015, 11:22 a.m., https://twitter.com/Abu_Baraa1/status/610875107955863552. and used Twitter to further disseminate his propaganda.Mizanur Rahman, Twitter post, June 20, 2015, 8:53 a.m., https://twitter.com/ummmuawiyahh/status/519820985143664640. Rahman openly called for “Sharia in the UK”Mizanur Rahman, Twitter post, May 9, 2015, 12:13 a.m., https://twitter.com/Abu_Baraa1/status/597117095827132416. and claimed that ISIS’s flag would one day fly over the White House.Kevin Sullivan, “Police call him an ISIS recruiter. He says he’s just an outspoken preacher,” Washington Post, November 23, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/police-call-him-an-isis-recruiter-he-says-hes-just-an-outspoken-preacher/2015/11/23/924d8f6e-8a15-11e5-9a07-453018f9a0ec_story.html. On Twitter, Rahman regularly encouraged the freeing of Islamists in prison, including Bakri Muhammad.Mizanur Rahman, Twitter post, June 21, 2015, 7:30 p.m., https://twitter.com/Abu_Baraa1/status/612809820664631296. On numerous occasions,Mizanur Rahman, Twitter post, May 13, 2015, 7:17 a.m., https://twitter.com/Abu_Baraa1/status/598492297085505536. Rahman has excused or justified terrorist attacks on London, claiming, “I must accept that I could become collateral damage in any #LondonAttack by its many angry war victims.”Mizanur Rahman, Twitter post, May 13, 2015, 7:18 a.m., https://twitter.com/Abu_Baraa1/status/598492590120574976. Rahman also claimed that “minority citizens are being murdered by the authorities on a mass scale in #USA not #IS.”Mizanur Rahman, Twitter post, August 3, 2015, 12:10 p.m., https://twitter.com/Abu_Baraa1/status/628281784032186368.
Following ISIS’s declaration of a caliphate in June 2014, both Rahman and Choudary pledged allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi over a Skype call with a convicted terrorist in Indonesia, according to authorities. Alexis Flynn and Jenny Gross, “U.K. Preacher Anjem Choudary Convicted of Inviting Support for Islamic State,” Wall Street Journal, August 16, 2016, http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-preacher-anjem-choudary-convicted-of-supporting-islamic-state-1471361122;
“Anjem Choudary and Mohammed Rahman convicted of inviting support for Daesh,” Crown Prosecution Service, August 16, 2016, http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/latest_news/anjem_choudary_and_mohammed_rahman_convicted_of_inviting_support_for_daesh/. That summer, Rahman posted a series of videos to YouTube in which he trumpeted ISIS’s caliphate. He asked viewers: “How is America going to survive against the Islamic State’s defense and retaliation? This is the real question. I do not believe they are going to survive. I think it is already over for America. They don’t want to admit it, but it’s over.”“British Islamist Abu Baraa in Support of ISIS: We Can Start Having Slave Girls Again,” MEMRI, July-August 2014, http://www.memritv.org/clip_transcript/en/4551.htm.
Police arrested Rahman, Choudary, and seven others on September 25, 2014, for suspected membership in ISIS.Martin Evans, “Anjem Choudary charged with supporting a terror organization,” Telegraph (London), August 5, 2015, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11784970/Anjem-Choudary-charged-with-supporting-a-terror-organisation.html; Vikram Dodd and Josh Halliday, “Anjem Choudary among nine arrested in London anti-terrorism raid,” Guardian (London), September 25, 2014, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/sep/25/nine-arrested-london-anti-terrorism. Both men were briefly held before being released on bail, though their passports were confiscated.Greg Botelho and Barbara Arvantidis, “Radical UK cleric Anjem Choudary pleads not guilty to supporting ISIS,” CNN, December 11, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/11/europe/uk-radical-cleric-choudary/; Omar Shahid, “ISIL sympathisers say support is growing,” Al Jazeera, December 4, 2014, http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/12/isil-sympathisers-say-support-growing-2014122105944176424.html. In August 2015, the pair pled not guilty to charges of supporting ISIS.Jamie Grierson and Shiv Malik, “Preacher Anjem Choudary charged with encouraging support for Islamic State,” Guardian (London), August 5, 2015, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/aug/05/cleric-anjem-choudary-charged-with-encouraging-support-for-islamic-state. According to Commander Dean Haydon of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Counter Terrorism Command, Rahman and Choudary had developed careers as spokesmen for extremists, but always avoided crossing the line into criminal speech until they pledged allegiance to ISIS. “Their recent speeches and the oath of allegiance were a turning point for the police — at last, we had the evidence that they had stepped over the line and we could prove they were actively encouraging support of ISIS,” he said.Stephen Castle, “Anjem Choudary Is Sentenced to Prison for Promoting ISIS,” New York Times, September 6, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/07/world/europe/anjem-choudary-sentenced-isis.html. On July 28, 2016, Rahman and Choudary were both convicted of inviting support for ISIS.“Anjem Choudary and Mohammed Rahman convicted of inviting support for Daesh,” Crown Prosecution Service, August 16, 2016, http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/latest_news/anjem_choudary_and_mohammed_rahman_convicted_of_inviting_support_for_daesh/; Alexis Flynn and Jenny Gross, “U.K. Preacher Anjem Choudary Convicted of Inviting Support for Islamic State,” Wall Street Journal, August 16, 2016, http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-preacher-anjem-choudary-convicted-of-supporting-islamic-state-1471361122; Stephen Castle, “Anjem Choudary Is Sentenced to Prison for Promoting ISIS,” New York Times, September 6, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/07/world/europe/anjem-choudary-sentenced-isis.html. They were each sentenced to five years and six months in prison in September 2016.Stephen Castle, “Anjem Choudary Is Sentenced to Prison for Promoting ISIS,” New York Times, September 6, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/07/world/europe/anjem-choudary-sentenced-isis.html. Due to British probation laws, Choudary was released on probation in October 2018 after completing only half of his sentence. Choudary served an additional five months in prison for bail violations, making him eligible for release before Rahman.Martin Bentham, “Release of Islamist hate preacher Anjem Choudary next month 'is danger for us all', prisons minister warns,” Evening Standard (London), September 11, 2018, https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/release-of-hate-preacher-anjem-choudary-next-month-is-danger-for-us-all-prisons-minister-warns-a3932731.html; Rory Tingle, “Hate preacher Anjem Choudary - who is accused of grooming London Bridge terrorists - will be free by end of next year,” Daily Mail (London), June 6, 2017, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4579216/Anjem-Choudary-free-end-year.html.
Rahman was also released on probation in October 2018 after serving half of his sentence. He was subject to several restrictions. He was forbidden from contacting Choudary. He was required to spend his nights in a bail hostel, though he was free to move about during the day. He was also barred from Internet use and all calls must be made from a monitored cell phone provided by the police.Omar Wahid, “Freed and back on London's streets: Hate preacher who inspired ISIS executioner is released after serving just half of his jail sentence,” Daily Mail (London), November 10, 2018, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6375975/Hate-preacher-inspired-ISIS-executioner-released-serving-just-half-jail-sentence.html; Matt Drake, “Anjem Choudary thugs to be free from jail NEXT WEEK amid fears of hate group COMEBACK,” Daily Star (London), October 19, 2018, https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/737491/anjem-choudary-alm-al-muhajiroun-released-jail-isis.
A.k.a. Abu Baraa. Propagandist: Pro-ISIS preacher convicted in 2006 on charges of hate speech and solicitation to murder. Sentenced in 2016 to five-and-a-half years in prison. Released early in 2018.
Spoke alongside Faisal at events.
A.k.a. Abu Baraa. British preacher and convicted ISIS supporter. Reportedly radicalized Siddhartha Dhar, a.k.a. Abu Rumaysah, who became an executioner for ISIS before his death in 2017. Convicted in 2007 of soliciting to murder during a November 2006 rally outside of the Danish embassy in London, during which he called for British soldiers to be brought back from Iraq in body bags. Sentenced to six years in prison. Released in 2010. Convicted alongside Choudary in July 2016 of inviting support for ISIS. Sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison. Released on parole in October 2018. Radicalized Naa’imur Rahman, sentenced in September 2018 to 30 years in prison for planning a “multi-faceted attack in which he envisioned he would die as a martyr.”
Former member of al-Muhajiroun who was recruited to the organization at age 17 by Choudary. Studied under Choudary and Omar Bakri Muhammad while running web design and social media accounts for al-Muhajiroun. Arrested alongside Choudary and seven others in 2014 for suspected membership in ISIS. Sentenced in 2016 to five-and-half years in prison for soliciting support for ISIS. Released in October 2018. Some authorities have warned that he is more dangerous than Choudary because of his youth.
Philadelphia-based Keonna Thomas is a propagandist and alleged would-be foreign fighter for ISIS.Associated Press, “Philadelphia Woman Charged In Plot To Join ISIS To Remain Jailed,” ABC 6 Action News, April 9, 2015, http://6abc.com/news/phila-woman-charged-in-plot-to-join-isis-to-remain-jailed/644428/. According to the criminal complaint filed against her, the mother of two used her Twitter account to praise ISIS, and eventually sought to join the terror group.“Criminal Complaint,” United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, April 3, 2015, http://media.philly.com/documents/KeonnaThomasComplaint.pdf.
The FBI monitored Thomas’s online communications with jihadists abroad between August 2013 and March 2015, which led the bureau to conclude that her intention was to travel to Syria to join ISIS.“Criminal Complaint,” United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, April 3, 2015, http://media.philly.com/documents/KeonnaThomasComplaint.pdf. According to the criminal complaint, Thomas applied for a U.S. passport, obtained a Turkish visa, researched travel routes from Spain to Turkey, and purchased airline tickets to travel to Spain.“Criminal Complaint,” United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, April 3, 2015, http://media.philly.com/documents/KeonnaThomasComplaint.pdf. On January 4, 2014 she tweeted “Only thing I’m jealous of is when I see the smiles of shuhadaa [martyrs].”“Criminal Complaint,” United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, April 3, 2015, http://media.philly.com/documents/KeonnaThomasComplaint.pdf.
In April 2015, the FBI collected evidence and arrested Thomas in her Philadelphia home.Jeremy Roebuck, “U.S.: Phil. Woman tried to go to Mideast to support ISIS,” Philly.com, April 5, 2015, http://articles.philly.com/2015-04-05/news/60814497_1_isis-fbi-agents-north-philadelphia. She was charged with one count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.“Philadelphia Woman Indicted On Charges She Tried to Assist And Join ISIL,” U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, April 23, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/philadelphia-woman-indicted-charges-she-tried-assist-and-join-isil.
On September 20, 2016, Thomas pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization. At the hearing, she admitted to planning to abandon her children, move to Syria to marry an ISIS fighter she met online, and participate in “martyrdom operations.”Jeremy Roebuck, “North Philly Mom Admits to Planning to Abandon Kids for ISIS,” Philadelphia Inquirer, September 20, 2016, https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/20160921_North_Philly_mom_admits_to_planning_to_abandon_kids_for_ISIS_fighter_she_married_over_Skype.html.
On September 6, 2017, Thomas was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years of post-release supervision.“United States v. Keonna Thomas – Judgement in a Criminal Case,” United States District Court – Eastern District of Pennsylvania, September 6, 2017, https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs2191/f/Keonna%20Thomas%20Judgment.pdf. Speaking before the judge imposed the sentence, Thomas stated that she “was not an evil or malicious person” and that she had been “impressionable.”Jeremy Roebuck, “North Philly Woman Gets 8 Year Term for Plan to Leave Kids, Marry IS Soldier,” Philadelphia Inquirer, September 6, 2017, https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/philadelphia/north-philly-mom-gets-8-year-term-for-plan-to-leave-kids-marry-isis-soldier-20170906.html.
Thomas is currently incarcerated at Aliceville Federal Correctional Institution in Alabama, with a scheduled release date of February 21, 2022.“KEONNA THOMAS,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed April 13, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.
Propagandist and attempted foreign fighter: Accused of communicating with jihadists abroad between August 2013 and March 2015. Accused of attempting to travel to Syria to join ISIS. Arrested in April 2015. Sentenced to eight years in prison.
Directly communicated with Faisal about her plans to migrate to ISIS-held territory. Faisal offered to arrange a marriage to an ISIS fighter for Thomas.
Munther Omar Saleh is a New York City resident and an alleged ISIS sympathizer and homegrown extremist. Authorities arrested Saleh on June 7, 2015, after he attacked an undercover cop following Saleh and his friend.“College Student In Queens Accused Of Plotting Terror Attack In New York City,” CBS New York, June 18, 2015, http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/06/16/queens-college-student-terror-plot-nyc/. Law enforcement officials began investigating Saleh after he allegedly visited the George Washington Bridge two days in a row in March.“College Student In Queens Accused Of Plotting Terror Attack In New York City,” CBS New York, June 18, 2015, http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/06/16/queens-college-student-terror-plot-nyc/. Saleh was charged with trying to learn how to build a pressure-cooker bombBenjamin Mueller, “New Jersey Man Is Charged with Planning to Aid ISIS,” New York Times, June 18, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/nyregion/new-jersey-man-is-charged-with-planning-to-aid-isis.html?_r=0. and plotting to blow up New York City landmarks.Benjamin Mueller, “New Jersey Man Is Charged with Planning to Aid ISIS,” New York Times, June 18, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/nyregion/new-jersey-man-ischarged-with-planning-to-aid-isis.html?_r=0.
Prosecutors for Saleh’s alleged co-conspirator, Fareed Mumini, assert that Saleh advised Mumini “to use a bomb and to run over law enforcement with a vehicle, seize the weapons of any victims and use the weapons to shoot other victims."John Marzulli, Edgar Sandoval, Caitlin Nolan, and Rich Schapiro, “Feds nab Staten Island man, 21, in ISIS-inspired bomb plot after he tried to attack agents with knife: sources,” NY Daily News, June 17, 2015, http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/dad-defends-queens-college-student-accused-isis-plot-article-1.2260994.
Court documents allege that Saleh espoused ISIS’s ideology online, especially on Twitter. Saleh also allegedly supported the Charlie Hebdo massacre in France and the attempted terror attack in Garland, Texas, on social media.Benjamin Mueller, “New Jersey Man Is Charged with Planning to Aid ISIS,” New York Times, June 18, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/nyregion/new-jersey-man-ischarged-with-planning-to-aid-isis.html?_r=0.
On February 6, 2018, Saleh was sentenced to 18 years of prison for ISIS-directed terrorist attacks in New York City.“Queens Man Sentenced to 18 Years’ Imprisonment for ISIS-Directed Terrorist Attacks in New York City,” United States Department of Justice, February 06, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/queens-man-sentenced-18-years-imprisonment-isis-directed-terrorist-attacks-new-york.
Attempted domestic terrorist: Charged for conspiracy to provide material support to ISIS by allegedly seeking to procure a pressure cooker bomb on the model of the 2013 Boston Marathon attack. He is suspected of targeting tourist areas of New York City.
Saleh reportedly translated ISIS videos from Arabic to English. In May 2015, Saleh visited a message board and “viewed…a post seeking translation of Arabic material referenced in a lecture by Anwar al-Awlaki.”
Arrested in June 2015 for trying to learn how to build a pressure-cooker bomb and plotting to blow up New York City landmarks. Pled guilty in February 2017 to charges of conspiring to provide material support to ISIS.
Translated the content of ISIS videos into English. A co-conspirator sent him a YouTube link to a video featuring an image of ISIS’s flag that included propaganda about ISIS’s occupation of Syria. Also posted a message on Twitter praising ISIS’s “high-end videos.”
Abu Usama al-Gharib, previously known as Mohamed Mahmoud, is an Austrian-born ex-convict of Egyptian parentage and a foreign fighter and propagandist for ISIS.“Austrian jihadist poses in front of corpses,” Local (Stockholm), November 5, 2014, http://www.thelocal.at/20141105/austrian-jihadist-poses-in-front-of-corpses. According to terrorism expert Guido Steinberg of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), al-Gharib is “an enormously important figure… [despite] his somewhat ridiculous appearances on the Internet.”“Austrian jihadist poses in front of corpses,” Local (Stockholm), November 5, 2014, http://www.thelocal.at/20141105/austrian-jihadist-poses-in-front-of-corpses.
Al-Gharib has a long history of associations with other extremist Islamist groups and leaders. According to a detailed New York Times account, al-Gharib has a “virtual Rolodex of Qaeda leadership connections….”Souad Mekhennet, “Austrian Returns, Unrepentant, to Online Jihad,” New York Times, November 15, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/16/world/europe/austrian-returns-to-online-jihad.html?_r=0. In 2007, he was convicted and sentenced to a four-year prison term in Austria for actively supporting al-Qaeda and its affiliates. Shortly after his release in September 2011, he started the Millatu-Ibrahim group with the stated goal of improving treatment of Islamist prisoners, especially females.Souad Mekhennet, “Austrian Returns, Unrepentant, to Online Jihad,” New York Times, November 15, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/16/world/europe/austrian-returns-to-online-jihad.html?_r=0. Despite its purportedly benign goals, German authorities carried out nationwide raids on its offices in 2012 prior to banning Millatu-Ibrahim for promoting extremism and violence.“Major Police Raids: Salafist Organization Banned in Germany,” Spiegel (Hamburg), June 14, 2012, http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-bans-salafist-organization-and-stages-police-raids-a-838832.html.
Al-Gharib appeared to renounce his Austrian citizenship by burning his passport in a posted video in March 2013.“Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) Weekend Summary,” Middle East Media Research Institute, March 23, 2013, http://www.memri.org/report/en/print7095.htm. Previously, al-Gharib was a leader of the al-Qaeda-affiliated Global Islamic Media Front, helping to translate Arabic media into German.Souad Mekhennet, “Austrian Returns, Unrepentant, to Online Jihad,” New York Times, November 15, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/16/world/europe/austrian-returns-to-online-jihad.html?_r=0.
Al-Gharib is also the reported husband of another well-known ISIS propagandist, Ahlam al-Nasr. On October 11, 2014, al-Gharib reportedly married al-Nasr in Raqqa, Syria, establishing a “jihadi power couple.”Robyn Creswell and Bernard Haykel, “Battle Lines: Want to understand the jihadis? Read their poety,” New Yorker, June 8, 2015, http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/06/08/battle-lines-jihad-creswell-and-haykel. It appears al-Gharib and his wife continue to operate out of Raqqa, ISIS’s de facto capital city in Syria, since the fall of 2014.Natasha Bertrand, “’The Poetess of the Islamic State’ embodies everything dangerous about ISIS,” Business Insider, June 22, 2015, http://www.businessinsider.com.au/the-poetess-of-the-islamic-state-embodies-everything-dangerous-about-isis-2015-6.
Texas-based Bilal Abood is an Iraqi-born naturalized U.S. citizen and member of ISIS.Deborah Hastings, “FBI arrests Texas man who pledged allegiance to ISIS, fought with rebels in Syria, agents say,” New York Daily News, June 15, 2015, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/feds-arrest-texas-man-allegedly-allied-isis-article-1.2222756. In 2015 he pleaded guilty to making false statements to federal agents and was sentenced to four years in prison.“Iraqi-Born U.S. Citizen Admits Making False Statement to FBI,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, October 13, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/dallas/press-releases/2015/iraqi-born-u.s.-citizen-admits-making-false-statement-to-fbi; “Iraqi-Born U.S. Citizen Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Making False Statements to the FBI,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 25, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/iraqi-born-us-citizen-sentenced-48-months-prison-making-false-statements-fbi. Abood was released on November 6, 2018.“BILAL ABOOD,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed March 23, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/#.
Abood served as a translator for the U.S. Army during the Gulf War and migrated to the U.S. in 2009, settling in Mesquite, Texas.Scott Shane, “Iraqi Who Worked for the U.S. Military Is Arrested in Texas in Link to Islamic State,” New York Times, May 14, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/15/us/iraqi-who-worked-for-the-us-military-is-arrested-in-texas-in-link-to-islamic-state.html?_r=0. In the same year, Abood began work as a security guard and in 2013 allegedly traveled to Syria for four months to fight alongside the anti-Assad Free Syrian Army.Deborah Hastings, “FBI arrests Texas man who pledged allegiance to ISIS, fought with rebels in Syria, agents say,” New York Daily News, June 15, 2015, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/feds-arrest-texas-man-allegedly-allied-isis-article-1.2222756.
On July 9, 2014, the FBI obtained a search warrant for Abood’s computer on which it found pro-ISIS propaganda and tweets on Abood’s Twitter account pledging allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.Kevin Krause, “Judge orders Mesquite man accused of lying to FBI over terrorist allegiances held without bond,” Dallas Morning News, May 15, 2015, http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2015/05/judge-orders-mesquite-man-accused-of-lying-to-fbi-over-terrorist-allegiances-held-without-bond.html/. When the FBI returned Abood’s computer a year later on April 14, 2015, he reportedly claimed he had never pledged allegiance to ISIS.“Criminal Complaint,” United States District Court, Northern District of Texas, May 13, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/file/438636/download.
The FBI arrested Abood on May 14, 2015, and charged him with making a false statement.“Iraqi-Born U.S. Citizen Arrested For Making False Statement to the FBI,” United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Texas, May 14, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao/txn/PressRelease/2015/MAY2015/MAY14Abbod_arrest.html. In court during a detention hearing, FBI Special Agent John Brown confirmed that Abood served as a translator for the U.S. Army in Iraq during the Gulf War. Brown asserted that it is due to his background of basic army training and occupation as a security guard that he poses a threat.Jason Whitely and Monica Hernandez, “Mesquite man detained; judge calls him flight risk, safety threat,” WFAA ABC, May 15, 2015, http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/local/2015/05/14/tweet-about-isis-could-send-mesquite-man-to-prison/27347493/.
Abood’s girlfriend, Barbara Strebeck, spoke to the media after his detention hearing. She claimed he was not a terrorist and that the FBI had set him up.“FBI arrests Mesquite man it says pledged allegiance to ISIS leader,” Fox 4 News, May 14, 2015, http://www.fox4news.com/story/29068539/mesquite-man-arrested-for-lying-to-fbi-about-isil-support.
In October 2015, Abood pleaded guilty to charges of making a false statement to federal agents.“Iraqi-Born U.S. Citizen Admits Making False Statement to FBI,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, October 13, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/dallas/press-releases/2015/iraqi-born-u.s.-citizen-admits-making-false-statement-to-fbi. FBI agent Thomas Class asserted that Abood “[had] lied to the FBI about the true purpose of his travel to Syria and his allegiance to ISIL,” adding, “…he will face the consequences.”“Iraqi-Born U.S. Citizen Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Making False Statements to the FBI,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 25, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/iraqi-born-us-citizen-sentenced-48-months-prison-making-false-statements-fbi. In late May 2016, Abood was sentenced to four years in prison.“Iraqi-Born U.S. Citizen Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Making False Statements to the FBI,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 25, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/iraqi-born-us-citizen-sentenced-48-months-prison-making-false-statements-fbi. He was released on November 6, 2018.“BILAL ABOOD,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed March 23, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/#.
Traveled to Syria through Turkey in 2013, but returned to the United States. Arrested in May 2015 and sentenced to four years in prison in May 2016 for falsely telling federal agents that he had not pledged allegiance to ISIS.
Watched al-Qaeda videos, ISIS beheading videos, videos about ISIS emir Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and videos about the creation of ISIS on social media.
Kashmiri Tweep is an ISIS propagandist on Twitter operating with the handle @abu_headshots56. Tweep praises ISIS victories and lambastes the U.S.-led coalition fighting ISIS for causing civilian casualties.Kashmiri Tweep, Twitter post, June 11, 2015, 1:08 p.m., https://twitter.com/abu_headshots56/status/609044465622355970.
His posts also condemn kuffar (nonbelievers) and “coconuts,” a derogatory term used by jihadists to deride moderate or assimilated Muslims. Tweep accuses Western “crusaders” of targeting women and childrenKashmiri Tweep, Twitter post, June 11, 2015, 1:00 p.m., https://twitter.com/abu_headshots56/status/609042648377114625. and condemns “moron moderate Muslims” who support the anti-ISIS coalition.Kashmiri Tweep, Twitter post, June 11, 2015, 12:59 p.m., https://twitter.com/abu_headshots56/status/609042337948246016.
Tweep’s nationality and exact location are unknown. He has claimed in various Twitter profiles to be in Sweden, Dallas, Texas, and Illinois.
In an April 18, 2015, post about “news from back home,” he wrote about Indian forces shooting a teenager, implying that “home” might be India.
Tweep claims to be a PhD student.Kashmiri Tweep, Twitter post, April 19, 2015, 9:24 a.m., https://twitter.com/abu_headshots56/status/589827019623571457. He has tweeted that he will owe “kuffar” nothing when he finishes,Kashmiri Tweep, Twitter post, April 19, 2015, 9:24 a.m., https://twitter.com/abu_headshots56/status/589827019623571457. indicating that he is in a Western university program. On May 23, 2015, he asked his followers to pray for him to get into an unspecified medical school.Kashmiri Tweep, Twitter post, May 23, 2015, 4:22 a.m., https://twitter.com/abu_headshots56/status/602026723169988608. His April 30, 2015, post about “legit medical colleges in IS”Kashmiri Tweep, Twitter post, April 30, 2015, 1:02 p.m., https://twitter.com/abu_headshots56/status/593822672686952448. raises the question of whether his May 23 plea refers to his acceptance into an ISIS-affiliated school. Despite his regular calls for “hijrah” (immigration) to ISIS territory, Tweep encourages his followers to take advantage of government loans and “kuffar banks” to fund their activities.Kashmiri Tweep, Twitter post, April 19, 2015, 1:23 p.m., https://twitter.com/abu_headshots56/status/589841835633221633. Mujahid Miski replied to another post that Tweep should take government money.Kashmiri Tweep, Twitter post, April 19, 2015, 9:24 a.m., https://twitter.com/abu_headshots56/status/589827019623571457.
Tweep communicates through Twitter with other Islamist propagandists and recruiters such as Miski.Kashmiri Tweep, Twitter post, April 19, 2015, 9:24 a.m., https://twitter.com/abu_headshots56/status/589827019623571457. An April 22, 2015, tweet seemingly targeted westernized Muslims, telling them to “stop playing call of duty on ps4” and go to ISIS-held territory to “headshot some real enemies of Islam” because they will “enjoy it more.”Kashmiri Tweep, Twitter post, April 22, 2015, 2:48 p.m., https://twitter.com/abu_headshots56/status/590950391098974209.
Tweep is aware that Twitter and authorities are monitoring his accounts. He has posted advice for other ISIS supporters on how to avoid detections and honeypot traps. An April 29, 2015, tweet mocked “spies” who “tried real hard” to figure out Tweep’s location.Kashmiri Tweep, Twitter post, April 29, 2015, 7:04 a.m., https://twitter.com/abu_headshots56/status/593370305575391232. He warned on April 22, 2015, that Twitter was removing “baqiyah” (ever-lasting) profiles.Kashmiri Tweep, Twitter post, April 22, 2015, 3:19 p.m., https://twitter.com/abu_headshots56/status/590957996013813760. He told his followers to “reshuffle your usernames and spread haqq” (truth).Kashmiri Tweep, Twitter post, April 22, 2015, 3:19 p.m., https://twitter.com/abu_headshots56/status/590957996013813760. In his first post under his new account on April 17, Tweep wrote account suspensions are “part of the experience here. We love it.”Kashmiri Tweep, Twitter post, April 17, 2015, 1:27 p.m., https://twitter.com/abu_headshots56/status/589118017965002753.
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
On October 7, 2023, Hamas invaded southern Israel where, in the space of eight hours, hundreds of armed terrorists perpetrated mass crimes of brutality, rape, and torture against men, women and children. In the biggest attack on Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, 1,200 were killed, and 251 were taken hostage into Gaza—where 101 remain. One year on, antisemitic incidents have increased by record numbers.
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