Leon Nathan Davis is a supporter of ISIS.Letitia Stein, “Georgia man pleads guilty to attempting to support Islamic State,” Reuters, May 27, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/27/us-usa-georgia-islamic-state-idUSKBN0OC2RZ20150527. He attempted to travel to Syria and join ISIS in October 2014, leaving behind his job as a medical supplements salesman, a wife of two years, and a stepdaughter.Russ Bynum, Associated Press, “Georgia man pleads guilty to seeking to join ISIS,” News 4 Georgia, May 28, 2015, http://www.news4jax.com/news/georgia-news/georgia-man-pleads-guilty-to-seeking-to-join-isis/33260684. Davis was charged with one count of attempting to provide support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.“Georgia Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, FBI, May 27, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/atlanta/press-releases/2015/georgia-man-pleads-guilty-to-attempting-to-provide-material-support-to-isil.
The FBI arrested Davis on October 24, 2014 at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport while he was checking in for a one-way flight to Turkey.Russ Bynum, Associated Press, “Georgia man pleads guilty to seeking to join ISIS,” News 4 Georgia, May 28, 2015, http://www.news4jax.com/news/georgia-news/georgia-man-pleads-guilty-to-seeking-to-join-isis/33260684. Davis was concurrently violating his parole, which was related to a previous cocaine-trafficking conviction.Erica Wenig, “Georgia Man Pleaded Guilty To Attempting To Support ISIS,” Daily Caller, May 28, 2015, http://dailycaller.com/2015/05/28/georgia-man-pleaded-guilty-to-attempting-to-support-isis/. On May 27, 2015 Davis pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court,“Georgia Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, FBI, May 27, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/atlanta/press-releases/2015/georgia-man-pleads-guilty-to-attempting-to-provide-material-support-to-isil. and on July 28, 2015, he was sentenced to the legal maximum of 15 years in federal prison.Associated Press, “US Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Jail for Trying to Join Isis: ‘I am an American,’” Guardian, July 28, 2015, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/28/man-sentenced-joining-islamic-state.
Davis converted to Islam while in prison between 2005 and 2008. His defense attorney said Davis became radicalized when he left prison and accessed extremist content online.Associated Press, “‘I am an American’: Man who was ‘ready for jihad’ before attempting to join ISIL sobs as he’s given 15 years prison,” National Post (Toronto), July 28, 2015, http://news.nationalpost.com/news/world/i-am-an-american-man-who-was-ready-for-jihad-before-attempting-to-join-isil-sobs-as-hes-given-15-years-prison.
Davis is currently incarcerated at Florence Federal Correctional Institution in Colorado, with a scheduled release date of January 23, 2028.“LEON NATHAN DAVIS,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed April 14, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.
On June 17, 2015, the FBI charged Fareed Mumini with attempting to stab an FBI agent who arrived at Mumini’s home in Staten Island, New York, with a search warrant. A criminal complaint against Mumini alleged he planned to attack U.S. law enforcement after failing to join ISIS in Syria.Benjamin Mueller, “New Jersey Man Is Charged with Planning to Aid ISIS,” New York Times, June 18, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/nyregion/new-jersey-man-is-charged-with-planning-to-aid-isis.html?_r=0. Mumini is reportedly friends with other individuals who have also allegedly attempted to join ISIS, including Samuel Rahamin Topaz and Munther Omar Saleh.Benjamin Mueller, “New Jersey Man Is Charged with Planning to Aid ISIS,” New York Times, June 18, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/nyregion/new-jersey-man-is-charged-with-planning-to-aid-isis.html?_r=0. Police investigating Mumini witnessed multiple meetings between Mumuni and Saleh in May 2015. Authorities also recorded phone conversations between the two men.Shimon Prokupecz and Laura Ly, “FBI agent attacked during search of NYC home in ISIS-related case,” CNN, June 17, 2015, hhttp://www.cnn.com/2015/06/17/us/new-york-isis-investigation/. Mumini pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 17 years in prison.“Staten Island Man Sentenced to 17 Years’ Imprisonment for Attempted Murder of A Federal Officer,” U.S. Attorney’s Office – Eastern District of New York, April 26, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/staten-island-man-sentenced-17-years-imprisonment-attempted-murder-federal-officer.
Saleh was arrested separately on June 7, 2015, and was charged with attempting 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-is-charged-with-planning-to-aid-isis.html?_r=0. He pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison.“Queens Man Sentenced to 18 Years’ Imprisonment for ISIS-Directed Terrorist Attacks in New York City,” U.S. Attorney’s Office – Eastern District of New York, February 6, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/queens-man-sentenced-18-years-imprisonment-isis-directed-terrorist-attacks-new-york.
On February 9, 2017, Mumini pleaded guilty to conspiring to and attempting to provide material support to ISIS, assaulting and conspiring to assault federal officers, and attempted murder of federal officers.“Two New York City Residents Pleaded Guilty to All Charges in Terrorism Case,” U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Public Affairs, February 10, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-new-york-city-residents-pleaded-guilty-all-charges-terrorism-case. On April 26, 2018, he was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison.“Staten Island Man Sentenced to 17 Years’ Imprisonment for Attempted Murder of A Federal Officer,” U.S. Attorney’s Office – Eastern District of New York, April 26, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/staten-island-man-sentenced-17-years-imprisonment-attempted-murder-federal-officer.
Mumini is currently incarcerated at Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center in New York, with a scheduled release date of December 10, 2029.“FAREED MUMUNI,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed April 7, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.
Tairod Nathan Webster Pugh is a U.S. Air Force veteran and a would-be foreign fighter for ISIS who allegedly sought to fix the group's aircraft, and ultimately become a martyr.Jason Hanna and Joshua Gaynor, “Air Force veteran pleads not guilty to terror-related charges,” CNN, March 18, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/17/us/former-airman-isis-charges/; John Marzulli, “ISIS wannabe Tairod Pugh, an Air Force veteran, convicted for his attempt to join terror group, fix their aircraft,” New York Daily News, March 9, 2016, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/isis-wannabe-tairod-pugh-convicted-brooklyn-court-article-1.2558708. Pugh is a U.S. citizen and convert to Islam who has lived in New Jersey and Texas, holding several air force and airline-related jobs.“Criminal Complaint,” United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, January 16, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/03/17/nyregion/criminal-complaint-against-mr-pugh.html. The year and a half prior to his arrest, he lived abroad in Egypt, Dubai, and Jordan.“Criminal Complaint,” United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, January 16, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/03/17/nyregion/criminal-complaint-against-mr-pugh.html.
In January 2015, Pugh traveled from Egypt to Turkey, allegedly attempting to cross the border into Syria to join ISIS.“Criminal Complaint,” United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, January 16, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/03/17/nyregion/criminal-complaint-against-mr-pugh.html. Turkish authorities stopped Pugh and forced him to return to Egypt when he refused to allow them to search his laptop.“Criminal Complaint,” United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, January 16, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/03/17/nyregion/criminal-complaint-against-mr-pugh.html. After returning to Egypt, Pugh was transferred to U.S. custody. He was arrested by the FBI in New Jersey soon after his arrival.“Criminal Complaint,” United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, January 16, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/03/17/nyregion/criminal-complaint-against-mr-pugh.html.
On March 18, 2015, Pugh was charged with one count of attempting to supply material support to a terrorist organization and one count of obstruction of justice.Jason Hanna and Joshua Gaynor, “Air Force veteran pleads not guilty to terror-related charges,” CNN, March 18, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/17/us/former-airman-isis-charges/. On March 18, 2015, he pled not guilty.Stephanie Clifford, “Air Force Veteran Pleads Not Guilty in ISIS Case,” New York Times, March 18, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/19/nyregion/air-force-veteran-accused-in-isis-aid-case-pleads-not-guilty.html?_r=0. His trial—one of the first in the nation involving an American charged with attempting to join ISIS—began on February 29, 2016, at a federal court in Brooklyn, NY.Associated Press, “Defense: Islamic State group case vs. US veteran a fantasy,” Yahoo News, February 29, 2016, http://news.yahoo.com/defense-islamic-state-group-case-vs-us-veteran-180318373.html. He was found guilty in March 2016, making Pugh the first American to be convicted in a jury trial of providing material support to ISIS.Joseph Goldstein, “Tairod Pugh, Ex-U.S. Serviceman, Is Found Guilty of Trying to Aid ISIS,” New York Times, March 9, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/10/nyregion/tairod-pugh-ex-us-serviceman-is-found-guilty-of-trying-to-aid-isis.html?_r=0.
Attempted foreign fighter: Convicted on charges of lending material assistance to ISIS. Traveled from Egypt to Turkey in an attempt to cross into Syria to join the terrorist group. In a letter from Turkey, he pledged to “establish and defend the Islamic State.”
Posted al-Awlaki’s quotes on social media
Attempted foreign fighter, New Jersey: U.S. Air Force veteran who attempted to travel to Syria to join ISIS. Pugh was the first American to be convicted in a jury trial of providing material support to ISIS.
Converted to Islam after moving to Texas in 1998, according to federal authorities. Pugh posted quotes by AQAP propagandist Anwar al-Awlaki on social media. He reportedly expressed support for Osama bin Laden while working as a mechanic for American Airlines in 2001. A coworker reported the incident the FBI. Pugh had 130 jihadist propaganda videos on his laptop, according to prosecutors.
(Estimated age at conversion: 28-30)
Traveled from Egypt to Turkey in January 2015 in an attempt to cross the border into Syria, but was stopped by Turkish authorities and transferred to U.S. custody. Found guilty of attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization and in May 2017, was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
His laptop contained searches for the ISIS propaganda video “Flames of War” ––a 55-minute video depicting captured Syrian soldiers being shot after digging their own graves, among other scenes. He also downloaded ISIS propaganda videos, including execution videos.
Minnesota-based Zacharia Yusuf Abdurahman is one of nine Somali-American men charged by the FBI with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS.Mike Levine, “Feds Arrest ‘Emir’ of ISIS-Related Recruitment Effort in Minnesota,” ABC 7 (Los Angeles), December 10, 2015, http://abc7.com/news/feds-arrest-emir-of-isis-related-recruitment-effort-in-minnesota/1117161/; “Six Minnesota Men Charged with Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, April 20, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/minneapolis/press-releases/2015/six-minnesota-men-charged-with-conspiracy-to-provide-material-support-to-the-islamic-state-of-iraq-and-the-levant. In November of 2014, authorities prevented Abdulrahman from boarding a plane at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International airport in his alleged effort to join the terror group.Scott Shane, “6 Minnesotans Held In Plot to Join ISIS,” New York Times, April 20, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/21/us/6-somali-americans-arrested-in-isis-recruiting-case.html?_r=0. He was arrested in April of 2015 in Minneapolis and charged with conspiring to provide material support to ISIS.Scott Shane, “6 Minnesotans Held In Plot to Join ISIS,” New York Times, April 20, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/21/us/6-somali-americans-arrested-in-isis-recruiting-case.html?_r=0. Abdurahman pled guilty in September of 2015.U.S. Department of Justice, “Minnesota Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” FBI, September 17, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/minneapolis/news/press-releases/minnesota-man-pleads-guilty-to-conspiracy-to-provide-material-support-to-isil.
The Somali-American men are believed to be self-radicalized, having discussed ISIS and its ideology in informal gatherings, including playing basketball. A key figure in the group of men is Abdiwali Nur, who allegedly successfully left for Syria in May 2014.Scott Shane, “6 Minnesotans Held In Plot to Join ISIS,” New York Times, April 20, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/21/us/6-somali-americans-arrested-in-isis-recruiting-case.html?_r=0. Authorities now believe that Nur is dead.Laura Yuen, “3 of 9 Twin Cities men sentenced in ISIS conspiracy trial,” MPR News, November 14, 2016, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/11/14/first-day-of-sentencing-isis-trial.
Abdurahman did not cooperate with authorities while in custody. On November 14, 2016, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison with 20 years of supervised release. During his sentencing, Abdurahman reportedly broke down in tears and spoke of how he had been bullied for being a Muslim. He said that ISIS’s ideology represented a “hug” for the pain and isolation he felt. He apologized to his family, but, when asked why he didn’t cooperate with authorities by sharing information about his co-conspirators, told the court that “[Islam] teaches you not to harm another brother.”Laura Yuen, “3 of 9 Twin Cities men sentenced in ISIS conspiracy trial,” MPR News, November 14, 2016, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/11/14/first-day-of-sentencing-isis-trial; Associated Press, “Cooperation Results in Light Sentences in Islamic State Case,” New York Times, November 14, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/11/14/us/ap-us-islamic-state-americans-minnesota.html?_r=1.
Part of a group of Somali-American youth from Minnesota who conspired to join ISIS abroad. Attempted to board a plane at New York’s JFK airport in November 2014 in an effort to join ISIS. Pled guilty in September 2015 to charges of conspiring to provide material support to the group.
Watched ISIS propaganda videos that “glorified religious violence” with other young Somali-American men.
U.S. citizen Hamza Naj Ahmed has pled guilty to charges of financial aid fraud and conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization after he had allegedly sought to use a student loan of $2,700 in order to travel to Syria and join ISIS abroad.Associated Press, “Another Minnesota man pleads guilty to trying to join ISIS,” New York Daily News, April 25, 2016, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/minnesota-man-pleads-guilty-islamic-state-case-article-1.2614214. Ahmed, due to be sentenced in November of 2016, faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment and a lifetime of supervised release.“First 3 Minnesota ISIS recruit sentences range from zero to 10 years,” Fox 9, November 14, 2016, http://www.fox9.com/news/217476498-story.
Court papers reveal that Ahmed was among three others—co-conspirators Mohamed Abdihamid Farah, Zacharia Yusuf Abdurahim, and Hanad Mustafe Musse—scheduled to depart on international flights from John F. Kennedy International (JFK) Airport on November 8, 2014. Ahmed allegedly expected to reach Syria via Turkey, but was removed from the airplane by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents after boarding.“Hamza Naj Ahmed Indicted for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant,” FBI, February 19, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/minneapolis/press-releases/2015/hamza-naj-ahmed-indicted-for-conspiring-to-provide-material-support-to-the-islamic-state-of-iraq-and-the-levant.
On October 21, 2015, Ahmed was charged with a new count of conspiracy to commit murder outside the United States. He is scheduled to go to trial in February 2016.Associated Press, “Superseding indictment has new details in ISIL case,” Kare 11, October 21 ,2015, http://www.kare11.com/story/news/crime/2015/10/21/superseding-indictment-has-new-details-in-isil-case/74357926.
In February of 2015, Ahmed was charged with conspiring to provide material support to ISIS. Ahmed was denied bail on July 8, 2015 due to his designation as a flight risk. Ahmed was charged alongside a group of eight other Minnesotan-based ISIS recruits: Farah, Abdurahim, and Musse, as well as Abdullahi Yusuf, Abdirizak Warsame, Guled Ali Omar, Abdirahman Yasin Daud, and Mohamed Abdihamid Farah.“First 3 Minnesota ISIS recruit sentences range from zero to 10 years,” Fox 9, November 14, 2016, http://www.fox9.com/news/217476498-story. One of the defendants’ associates, Abdiwali Nur, is believed to have successfully joined ISIS in Syria in May 2014.“United States of America v. Abdirizak Mohamed Warsame,” U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, December 9, 2015, 8, http://kstp.com/kstpImages/repository/cs/files/WarsameComplaint.pdf.
Ahmed was sentenced to 15 years in prison on November 15, 2016. Ahmed told the court he was thankful to U.S. authorities who removed him from the airplane in November of 2014—admitting that they most likely saved his life. Ahmed told U.S. District Judge Michael Davis, “I want you to understand I am not completely changed. I’m in the process, but nobody changes overnight.” “Two Minnesota men sentenced for trying to aid Islamic State: local media,” Reuters, November 15, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-minnesota-security-idUSKBN13A2C8; Associated Press, “Minnesota Man Tells Judge, ‘I am a Terrorist,’ Gets 10 Years,” New York Times, November 15, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/11/15/us/ap-us-islamic-state-americans-minnesota.html?_r=1.
Part of a group of Somali-American youth in Minnesota who conspired to join ISIS abroad in 2014. Boarded a plane at New York’s JFK airport in November 2014 in an attempt to join ISIS abroad, but was removed from the plane by authorities before its departure. Pled guilty in April 2016 to conspiring to provide material support to the group.
Came to believe that ISIS was “helping the innocent people, similar to government organizations” while watching online ISIS propaganda videos, some of which depicted mass executions of prisoners.
Kenyan-born Abdurahman Yasin Daud is a U.S. permanent resident and convicted ISIS conspirator. He was arrested alongside fellow Minnesotans in April 2015 for conspiring to join ISIS. The men had planned—over the course of 10 months—to travel to Syria to provide material support to ISIS.“Six Minnesota Men Charged with Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant,” U.S. Department of Justice, April 20, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/minneapolis/press-releases/2015/six-minnesota-men-charged-with-conspiracy-to-provide-material-support-to-the-islamic-state-of-iraq-and-the-levant. Daud had discussed his desire to purchase an AK-47 in Syria in order to kill Shiites, according to an undercover FBI informant.Aamer Madhani, “3 Minneapolis men found guilty in plot to join ISIL,” USA Today, June 3, 2016, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/06/03/3-minneapolis-men-found-guilty-plot-join-isil/85355076/.
In April 2015, Daud was arrested in California while attempting to purchase fake passports from an undercover FBI agent in order to travel to Syria.Laura Yuen, “Minnesota terror suspect deemed flight risk, held for trial,” MPR News, May 22, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/05/22/abdirahman-daud. The following month, Chief U.S. District Judge Michael Davis designated Daud as a flight risk.Laura Yuen, “Minnesota terror suspect deemed flight risk, held for trial,” MPR News, May 22, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/05/22/abdirahman-daud. That October, Daud was charged with a new count of conspiracy to commit murder outside the United States.Associated Press, “Superseding indictment has new details in ISIL case,” Kare 11, October 21 ,2015, http://www.kare11.com/story/news/crime/2015/10/21/superseding-indictment-has-new-details-in-isil-case/74357926/.
In early June 2016, Daud was found guilty of conspiring to provide material support to a terrorist organization, as well as conspiring to commit murder overseas.Jack Healy and Matt Furber, “3 Somali-Americans Found Guilty of Trying to Join Islamic State,” New York Times, June 3, 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/04/us/somali-americans-verdict-minneapolis-isis.html. On November 16, 2016, Judge Michael Davis sentenced Daud to 30 years in prison. Daud told the court that he hoped his fellow Muslims would not be blinded by ISIS’s ideology. He said, “I’m certainly not being persecuted for my faith. I was certainly not entrapped. I was not going there to pass out medical kits or food. I was going strictly to fight and kill on behalf of [ISIS].”“Final 3 Minnesota men sentenced in Islamic State case,” Chicago Tribune, November 16, 2016, http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/midwest/ct-islamic-state-minnesota-20161116-story.html.
He was found guilty alongside co-conspirators Guled Ali Omar and Mohamed Abdihamid Farah. The men face possible life sentences in prison.Aamer Madhani, “3 Minneapolis men found guilty in plot to join ISIL,” USA Today, June 3, 2016, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/06/03/3-minneapolis-men-found-guilty-plot-join-isil/85355076/. Among the individuals tried as part of the ISIS recruitment cell were co-conspirators Guled Ali Omar, Mohamed Abdihamid Farah, Hanad Mustafe Musse, Adnan Farah, Zacharia Yusuf Abdurahman, Abdullahi Yusuf, Hamza Naj Ahmed, and Abdirizak Warsame.
Part of a group of Somali-American youth from Minnesota who conspired to join ISIS in Syria. Arrested in April 2015 and charged with conspiring to provide material support to the group. Pled guilty and in November 2016, was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Drove to San Diego with Mohamed Farah and Abdirahman Bashir, two other Somali-American youth from Minnesota who conspired to join ISIS in Syria. During the car ride, they watched ISIS propaganda videos and listened to speeches by now-deceased AQAP recruiter Anwar al-Awlaki.
Reza Niknejad is an American citizen and alleged foreign fighter with ISIS in Syria. Niknejad allegedly traveled to Syria in January 2015 with the help of his now-convicted high school friend Ali Shukri Amin. Amin hosted a popular pro-ISIS Twitter account under the handle @AmreekiWitness (now suspended).Matt Zapotosky, “Va. teen admits he was secret voice behind a pro-ISIS Twitter account,” Washington Post, June 11, 2015, http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/northern-va-teen-admits-running-pro-islamic-state-twitter-and-helping-man-join-terrorist-group/2015/06/11/1d0cb33e-0eef-11e5-9726-49d6fa26a8c6_story.html.
Amin allegedly accompanied Niknejad to the airport and put him in contact with unnamed ISIS militants with whom he had formed connections over social media.Matt Zapotosky, “Va. teen admits he was secret voice behind a pro-ISIS Twitter account,” Washington Post, June 11, 2015, http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/northern-va-teen-admits-running-pro-islamic-state-twitter-and-helping-man-join-terrorist-group/2015/06/11/1d0cb33e-0eef-11e5-9726-49d6fa26a8c6_story.html. Soon after, Amin reportedly delivered a letter written by Niknejad to his family, in which Niknejad wrote that he had traveled to Saudi Arabia to study Islam.Matt Zapotosky, “Va. teen admits he was secret voice behind a pro-ISIS Twitter account,” Washington Post, June 11, 2015, http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/northern-va-teen-admits-running-pro-islamic-state-twitter-and-helping-man-join-terrorist-group/2015/06/11/1d0cb33e-0eef-11e5-9726-49d6fa26a8c6_story.html.
A Virginia court charged Niknejad in absentia on June 10, 2015, for conspiring to provide material support to ISIS, conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and conspiring to kill or injure individuals in a foreign country.Matt Zapotosky, “Va. teen admits he was secret voice behind a pro-ISIS Twitter account,” Washington Post, June 11, 2015, http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/northern-va-teen-admits-running-pro-islamic-state-twitter-and-helping-man-join-terrorist-group/2015/06/11/1d0cb33e-0eef-11e5-9726-49d6fa26a8c6_story.html.
The U.S. Department of Justice charged Somali-American Yusra Ismail with one count of misusing a stolen passport on December 2, 2014. Ismail allegedly used the stolen passport to travel to Syria to join ISIS. Her last confirmed contact with her family was a call she made from the Netherlands on August 24, 2014, allegedly while en route to Syria.“Minnesota Woman Charged With Stealing Passport To Travel To Syria,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, December 2, 2014, http://www.justice.gov/usao/mn/yursaismailcomplaint.html. It is unconfirmed whether she is currently in Syria, but authorities have stated that records cannot confirm if she has returned the United States since her departure.John Hall,“ Somali-American woman, 20, 'stole friend's passport and used it to travel to Syria where she joined ISIS terrorists',” Daily Mail (London), December 2, 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2858322/Minnesota-woman-charged-stealing-passport-Syria.html.
Ismail is a 2013 graduate of Lighthouse Academy, a charter school in Minneapolis. Interviews with school officials reveal a quiet woman who was intent on memorizing the Quran.Laura Yuen, Mukhtar Ibrahim, Sasha Aslanian, “From MN suburbs, they set out to join ISIS,” MPR News, March 25, 2015, http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/03/25/minnesota-teens-isis.
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.
Joshua Ray Van Haften is U.S. citizen and would-be foreign fighter for ISIS. He was taken into custody at Chicago O’Hare airport in April 2015 on a charge of attempting to provide material support to a terrorist group. Van Haften pled guilty to charges on October 20, 2016.“Madison Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 20, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/madison-man-pleads-guilty-attempting-provide-material-support-isil.
According to the FBI’s criminal complaint, Van Haften had lived in Egypt from October 2012 to January 2014. While in Egypt, he allegedly took photographs of a military facility, which brought him to the attention of the Egyptian police. According to the FBI, Egyptian authorities returned Van Haften to the United States after learning from the U.S. embassy that Van Haften had been convicted in 1999 for sexually assaulting a child.U.S. District Court District for the Western District of Wisconsin, “United States of America v. Joshua Van Haften,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 28, 2014, 3-4, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/04/09/van_haften_complaint_signed.pdf.
In July 2014, the FBI interviewed a former associate of Van Haften’s who alleged that Van Haften had spoken of his desire to travel to Syria and join the Nusra Front. Van Haften reportedly traveled to Istanbul, Turkey, in late August 2014. After his arrival, Van Haften pledged allegiance online to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, according to authorities.“Madison Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 20, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/madison-man-pleads-guilty-attempting-provide-material-support-isil.
That September, days after Van Haften’s arrival in Istanbul, his former roommate told the FBI that Van Haften had shown signs of radicalization when he folded two $100 bills to resemble the Twin Towers and a missile. In September, the FBI confirmed that Van Haften was in Turkey and had scheduled a return flight on November 24, 2014.U.S. District Court District for the Western District of Wisconsin, “United States of America v. Joshua Van Haften,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 28, 2014, 6, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/04/09/van_haften_complaint_signed.pdf. The FBI also found pro-ISIS propaganda on Van Haften’s public Facebook page.U.S. District Court District for the Western District of Wisconsin, “United States of America v. Joshua Van Haften,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 28, 2014, 10, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/04/09/van_haften_complaint_signed.pdf.
While interviewing another former roommate that September, the FBI discovered that Van Haften had shared a video on Facebook by deceased al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula recruiter Anwar al-Awlaki.U.S. District Court District for the Western District of Wisconsin, “United States of America v. Joshua Van Haften,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 28, 2014, 6, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/04/09/van_haften_complaint_signed.pdf. In one Facebook exchange in October 2014, Van Haften wrote of his intention to fight “the Kuffar (slaves of America)” if authorities tried to arrest him.U.S. District Court District for the Western District of Wisconsin, “United States of America v. Joshua Van Haften,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 28, 2014, 14, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/04/09/van_haften_complaint_signed.pdf.
In October 2014, Turkish immigration officials arrested Van Haften and detained him until his return to the United States the following April.Myra Sanchik, “Detained in Turkey, arrested at O’Hare, Madison man accused of trying to join Islamic State,” Fox6 News, April 9, 2015, http://fox6now.com/2015/04/09/madison-man-charged-with-attempting-to-provide-material-support-to-isil/. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.“Madison Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 20, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/madison-man-pleads-guilty-attempting-provide-material-support-isil. In October 2016, he pleaded guilty in federal court to “attempting to provide material support . . . to a foreign terrorist organization,”“Madison Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 20, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/madison-man-pleads-guilty-attempting-provide-material-support-isil. and in February 2017, he was sentenced to ten years in federal prison and lifetime post-release supervision.“Wisconsin Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL,” Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs, February 17, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/wisconsin-man-sentenced-10-years-prison-attempting-provide-material-support-isil. Van Haften is currently imprisoned at the United States Penitentiary in Marion, Illinois, with a tentative release date of May 18, 2023.“Joshua Van Haften” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.
Attempted foreign fighter: Taken into custody at Chicago O’Hare airport on April 8, 2015, and charged in the United States with attempting to provide “material support and resources” to a terrorist group, ISIS.
Posted al-Awlaki videos on Facebook.
Attempted foreign fighter, Wisconsin: Left the United States in August 2014 for Turkey with the intention of crossing into Iraq or Syria to join ISIS. Van Haften was arrested at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport upon his arrival there in April 2015. He pled guilty in October 2016 to attempting to provide material support to ISIS. Van Haften posted videos of AQAP propagandist Anwar al-Awlaki to Facebook.
Converted while in prison for nearly seven years for sexually assaulting a child. Haften was convicted in May 1999 on these charge at age 18. According to Van Haften’s mother, Van Haften took Islam very seriously as it had helped him deal with the frustration of registering as a sex offender. Van Haften was briefly married to a Muslim woman upon his release. He was reportedly “upset with the world” since suffering a head injury after being struck by a car while riding his bicycle at age 13, according to acquaintances.
(Estimated age at conversion: 18-26)
Traveled to Turkey in 2014 in an attempt to join ISIS in Syria. Detained by Turkish authorities and sent back to the United States, where he was charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS in April 2015. Pled guilty to the charge in October 2016.
Posted an ISIS propaganda video on his Facebook page, which showed ISIS extremists engaging in battle. Also responded to a Facebook post linking to the fourth issue of the ISIS propaganda magazine Dabiq, which includes graphic images. Also posted lecture videos from the “Hereafter Series” by now-deceased AQAP recruiter Anwar al-Awlaki on Facebook.
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.
Get the latest news on extremism and counter-extremism delivered to your inbox.