The FBI arrested U.S. Army National Guard Specialist Hasan Rasheed Edmonds of Aurora, Illinois, in March 2015 for attempting to join ISIS. He was arrested while attempting to fly to Cairo from the Chicago Midway International Airport. Edmonds’s cousin, Jonas Marcel Edmonds, was simultaneously arrested at his Aurora home, and both were charged with conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.“US Army National Guard Soldier and His Cousin Arrested for Conspiring to Support Terrorism (ISIL),” U.S. Department of Justice, March 26, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/us-army-national-guard-soldier-and-his-cousin-arrested-conspiring-support-terrorism-isil. The defendants allegedly planned for Jonas to carry out acts of violence in the United States once Hasan was abroad.“US Army National Guard Soldier and his Cousin Arrested for Conspiring to Support Terrorism (ISIL),” United States Department of Justice, March 26, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/us-army-national-guard-soldier-and-his-cousin-arrested-conspiring-support-terrorism-isil. Hasan pled guilty in December 2015 and was sentenced to 30 years in prison on September 20, 2016.Jason Meisner, “National Guard member and cousin given long prison terms for terror plot,” Chicago Tribune, September 20, 2016, http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-terror-plot-joliet-armory-met-20160920-story.html.
The FBI grew suspicious of Edmonds in 2014 and subsequently sent him a friend request on Facebook.“United States of America v. Hasan Edmonds and Jonas M. Edmonds,” U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, March 25, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/03/26/edmonds_complaint_0.pdf. Through Facebook, Edmonds and an undercover FBI agent began a series of conversations about joining ISIS and planning domestic attacks.“United States of America v. Hasan Edmonds and Jonas M. Edmonds,” U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, March 25, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/03/26/edmonds_complaint_0.pdf. According to the FBI, Edmonds used his military access and knowledge to plan an attack on a nearby military installation.“United States of America v. Hasan Edmonds and Jonas M. Edmonds,” U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, March 25, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/03/26/edmonds_complaint_0.pdf. He had also allegedly planned to use his military training to fight for ISIS overseas.“US Army National Guard Soldier and His Cousin Arrested for Conspiring to Support Terrorism (ISIL),” U.S. Department of Justice, March 26, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/us-army-national-guard-soldier-and-his-cousin-arrested-conspiring-support-terrorism-isil.
Edmonds and his cousin were arrested before an attack took place. The pair initially pled not guilty in April 2015,Jon Seidel, “Aurora men accused of plot to join ISIL plead not guilty,” Chicago Sun-Times, April 8, 2015, http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/509447/aurora-men-accused-plot-join-isil-plead-guilty. but switched to a guilty plea in December of that year.“Aurora Cousins Face Sentencing For Terror Plot on Guard Base,” CBS Chicago, September 20, 2016, http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/09/20/aurora-cousins-face-sentencing-for-terror-plot-on-guard-base/. On September 20, 2016, Edmonds was sentenced to 30 years in prison. His cousin, Jonas Edmonds, received a 21-year sentence.Jason Meisner, “National Guard member and cousin given long prison terms for terror plot,” Chicago Tribune, September 20, 2016, http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-terror-plot-joliet-armory-met-20160920-story.html.
Attempted domestic terrorist, Illinois: Former National Guardsman arrested in March 2015 after plotting with his cousin Jonas Edmonds to attack the Joliet Armory, a military installation in Illinois. Edmonds pled guilty to conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, ISIS.
Converted to Islam with other members of his family in or around 2005, according to his aunt, Tiffany Edmonds. Edmonds admitted that he had been radicalized online. He formally renounced ISIS in an April 2016 letter to a federal judge, claiming that he had been “led astray by the hateful rhetoric of a group who [in] reality [I] could care less about.” As part of the letter, Edmonds disavowed “the religion they claim to represent or the people they swear they wish to protect.”
(Estimated age at conversion: 12-13)
Arrested in March 2015 before attempting to fly to Cairo from Chicago’s Midway International Airport to join ISIS abroad. Pled guilty in December 2015 to conspiring to provide material support to the group and in September 2016, was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Informed a FBI undercover operative that he had been watching ISIS videos. Posted a link on Facebook to a pro-ISIS YouTube video called “Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi- What is Terrorism,” which features audio from a speech given by ISIS emir Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
New York resident Arafat Nagi was indicted by a grand jury in August 2015 for attempting to provide material support to ISIS.“Arafat Nagi Indicted by Grand Jury,” Channel 2 WGRZ News, August 15, 2015, http://www.wgrz.com/story/news/crime/2015/08/12/arafat-nagi-indicted--grand-jury/31559001/. The FBI alleges Nagi traveled to Turkey in October 2012 and July 2014 hoping to meet with ISIS members in Syria.“United States of America against Arafat Nagi,” United States District Court, Western District of New York, July 28, 2015, http://download.gannett.edgesuite.net/wgrz/news/nagi.pdf. He pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to ISIS in January 2018,“United States of America v. Arafat Nagi – Plea Agreement,” United States District Court for the Western District of New York, January 22, 2018, https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs2191/f/Arafat%20Nagi%20Plea%20Agreement.pdf, 1. and in June 2018, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by 15 years of post-release supervision.“Lackawanna Man Sentenced For Attempting To Provide Support To ISIS,” U.S. Attorney’s Office – Western District of New York, June 11, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/lackawanna-man-sentenced-attempting-provide-support-isis.
An acquaintance of Nagi alerted FBI agents in Buffalo, New York, of Nagi’s pro-jihadist statements within the Lackawanna community. The tipster allegedly stated that Nagi “was angry about the killing of rebels in Yemen, which he blamed on the United States; pledged an oath to ISIL leaders; expressed agreement with ISIL tactics, including the killing of innocent men, women and children,” using another acronym for the terror group.“United States of America against Arafat Nagi,” United States District Court, Western District of New York, July 28, 2015, http://download.gannett.edgesuite.net/wgrz/news/nagi.pdf.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) records confirm Nagi’s travels in 2012 and 2014 to Yemen via Turkey. On his return to the Detroit Airport on September 19, 2014, Nagi denied having any interest in Islamist groups in a CBP interview. Nagi stated that he went on a two-month long vacation “to get away from his family.” He told CBP personnel that he first spent 10 days in Istanbul and then proceeded to Yemen, where he visited Sana’a and then continued on to Nadra to visit an uncle, before returning to the U.S.
Nagi explicitly told the CBP he did not support AQAP, ISIS, or al-Qaeda central. The FBI agent’s statements added that Nagi’s denials were inconsistent with his social media and Internet statements.“United States of America against Arafat Nagi,” United States District Court, Western District of New York, July 28, 2015, http://download.gannett.edgesuite.net/wgrz/news/nagi.pdf.
Nagi used Twitter to pledge his allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and regularly tweeted about his goal to fight with ISIS in Syria.Mark Belcher, “Tweets, texts, more helped FBI build case against alleged ISIL terrorist,” WIVB News 4, July 29, 2015, http://wivb.com/2015/07/29/tweets-texts-more-helped-fbi-build-case-against-alleged-isil-terrorist/. The FBI reviewed more than 7,000 tweets from Nagi’s own accounts and retweets of Nagi’s statements from 278 different Twitter users. The FBI believed that approximately half of Nagi’s followers were connected to ISIS either as sympathizers or members of the terror group.Mark Belcher, “Tweets, texts, more helped FBI build case against alleged ISIL terrorist,” WIVB News 4, July 29, 2015, http://wivb.com/2015/07/29/tweets-texts-more-helped-fbi-build-case-against-alleged-isil-terrorist/.
The FBI also reviewed Nagi’s profile on Tango, an app which provides free calls and messaging. The messaging provided access to conversations Nagi had with friends while travelling. The FBI alleges that in one Tango message from Nagi in 2014, he admitted he was not in Turkey for vacation.Mark Belcher, “Tweets, texts, more helped FBI build case against alleged ISIL terrorist,” WIVB News 4, July 29, 2015, http://wivb.com/2015/07/29/tweets-texts-more-helped-fbi-build-case-against-alleged-isil-terrorist/.
In 2013, Lackawanna Police arrested Nagi for threatening to behead his daughter. Mark Belcher, “Tweets, texts, more helped FBI build case against alleged ISIL terrorist,” WIVB News 4, July 29, 2015, http://wivb.com/2015/07/29/tweets-texts-more-helped-fbi-build-case-against-alleged-isil-terrorist/.
On January 22, 2018, Nagi pleaded guilty in federal court to “attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.”“United States of America v. Arafat Nagi – Plea Agreement,” United States District Court for the Western District of New York, January 22, 2018, https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs2191/f/Arafat%20Nagi%20Plea%20Agreement.pdf, 1. On June 11, 2018, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison, followed by 15 years of post-release supervision.“Lackawanna Man Sentenced For Attempting To Provide Support To ISIS,” U.S. Attorney’s Office – Western District of New York, June 11, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/lackawanna-man-sentenced-attempting-provide-support-isis. He is currently incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institute in Terra Haute, Indiana, with an expected release date of May 9, 2028.“ARAFAT M NAGI,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed March 17, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.
New Jersey resident Alaa Saadeh belonged to a group of alleged U.S.-based ISIS supporters and would-be foreign fighters that included his younger brother, Nader Saadeh, Samuel Rahamin Topaz, and others. The FBI arrested Saadeh on June 29, 2015.“New Jersey Man Charged With Conspiracy To Provide Material Support To ISIL And Witness Tampering,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 29, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/new-jersey-man-charged-conspiracy-provide-material-support-isil-and-witness-tamperings. Following his arrest, Saadeh told the FBI that he, Nader Saadeh, and Topaz watched ISIS propaganda videos together and planned to join the terrorist group abroad.“United States of America v. Nader Saadeh,” U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, August 1, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/705621/download.
Saadeh was charged with conspiring to provide services and personnel to ISIS, aiding and abetting an attempt to provide services and personnel to ISIS, and attempting to persuade a witness to lie to the FBI.“New Jersey Man Charged With Conspiracy To Provide Material Support To ISIL And Witness Tampering,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 29, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/new-jersey-man-charged-conspiracy-provide-material-support-isil-and-witness-tamperings. During the trial, Saadeh admitted to providing credit cards and other materials to members of the New Jersey cell in order to facilitate their travel to ISIS-held territory. Saadeh pled guilty to providing material support to a terrorist organization in October 2015. In May 2016, Saadeh was sentenced to 15 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release.Jonathan Dienst, “NJ Man Who Tried to Help Organize 'Small Army' For ISIS Gets 15 Years in Prison,” NBC News, May 10, 2016, http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/ISIS-Fighter-Suspect-Sentenced-Prison-New-Jersey-Alaa-Saadeh-NJ-378837431.html.
Saadeh had no criminal record prior to his arrest.Jonathan Dienst, “NJ Man Who Tried to Help Organize 'Small Army' For ISIS Gets 15 Years in Prison,” NBC News, May 10, 2016, http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/ISIS-Fighter-Suspect-Sentenced-Prison-New-Jersey-Alaa-Saadeh-NJ-378837431.html. His parents, however, had previously been deported from the United States for credit card fraud.“New Jersey Man Charged With Conspiracy To Provide Material Support To ISIL And Witness Tampering,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 29, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/new-jersey-man-charged-conspiracy-provide-material-support-isil-and-witness-tamperings; Ted Sherman, “Jersey Jihad: Inside the ISIS case that snared 5 friends,” NJ.com, July 27, 2015, http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/07/jersey_jihad_inside_the_isis_case_that_ensnared_5.html. As of April 2015, the Saadehs’ father lived in Oman and their mother lived in Jordan. Following their parents’ deportation, the Saadeh boys lived with a person identified in the complaint as “Individual 1.” The individual informed the FBI in April 2015 of the Saadehs’ plans to join ISIS. According to the Saadehs’ criminal complaints, Alaa Saadeh was “on the fence” about going to ISIS-held territory, but Nader Saadeh swayed him. Nader Saadeh flew to Jordan on May 5, 2015, with the intention of later meeting his brother and Topaz in Turkey to cross over into ISIS-held territory. After Nader Saadeh was detained in Jordan, the elder Saadeh allegedly told Individual 1 to “play stupid” about the Saadehs’ plans to join ISIS.“New Jersey Man Charged With Conspiracy To Provide Material Support To ISIL And Witness Tampering,” U.S. Department of Justice, June 29, 2015, http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/new-jersey-man-charged-conspiracy-provide-material-support-isil-and-witness-tamperings.
Following his arrest, Saadeh was held in New Jersey’s Monmouth County Correctional Facility until December 18, 2015, when he was moved into “protective custody” under orders from the U.S. Marshals Service. He reportedly was kept isolated and allowed only one hour a day for showering or sitting in a cage, according Saadeh’s attorney, who alleged his client was subjected to cruel and “inhumane” conditions. He was then moved to the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center.Tim Darragh, “ISIS supporter was held in ‘inhumane’ jail conditions, lawyer says,” NJ.com, January 27, 2016, http://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2016/01/monmouth_jails_conditions_were_inhumane_to_isis_su.html;
Abbott Koloff, “Former Bergen County man gets 15 years for conspiring to aid Islamic State,” May 10, 2016, http://www.northjersey.com/news/former-bergen-county-man-gets-15-years-for-conspiring-to-aid-islamic-state-1.1569691.
Attempted foreign fighter: Pled guilty to providing material support for terrorism. Was detained in Jordan en route to join ISIS in Syria.
Refers to an unspecified “web page” where he viewed al-Awlaki’s lectures
Planned to join ISIS in Syria. Arrested in June 2015 and charged with conspiring to provide services and personnel to ISIS. Pled guilty and in May 2016, was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Watched ISIS execution videos with Nader Saadeh and Samuel Rahamin Topaz. His brother––Naader Saadeh––sent him an ISIS video via text message.
U.S. authorities arrested North Carolina resident Avin Marsalis Brown at the Raleigh Durham International Airport in March 2014 on suspicion that he sought to join extremist groups overseas including ISIS, AQAP, and the Nusra Front. Brown pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.Bruce Siceloff, “Second Raleigh man pleads guilty in ISIS terror-support conspiracy,” News & Observer, October 16, 2014, http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article10098290.html. On July 5, 2016, he was sentenced to 92 months in federal prison“United States of America v. Avin Marsalis Brown aka ‘Musa Brown’ – Judgement,” United States District Court – Eastern District of North Carolina, July 5, 2016, https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs2191/f/Brown%20Judgment.pdf; “Raleigh Men Who Sought to Fight in Syria Sentenced to Prison,” WRAL Raleigh, July 5, 2016, https://www.wral.com/2-nc-men-who-sought-to-fight-in-syria-sentenced-to-prison/15831356/. and was released early in September 2020.“AVIN MARSALIS BROWN,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed March 18, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.
Starting in May 2013, both Brown and his co-conspirator Akba Jihad Jordan communicated and met with FBI agents posing as jihadists. Brown told an agent that he had a couple of “brothers” who would be helpful in “fisabillah,” or violent jihad for the sake of Allah. Brown told the agent that he planned to travel to either Syria or Yemen to fight.“United State of America v. Avin Marsalis Brown (aka Musa Brown) Akba Jihad Jordan,” United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, March 20, 2014, http://ftpcontent5.worldnow.com/wncn/pdf/raid.pdf. Both Brown and Jordan told the agents that they wished to fight kuffar (nonbelievers), both in the United States and overseas.“United State of America v. Avin Marsalis Brown (aka Musa Brown) Akba Jihad Jordan,” United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, March 20, 2014, http://ftpcontent5.worldnow.com/wncn/pdf/raid.pdf. According to a federal affidavit, Jordan “functioned as a type of physical fitness, firearms and tactics instructor” for Brown.Bruce Siceloff, “Second Raleigh man pleads guilty in ISIS terror-support conspiracy,” News & Observer, October 16, 2014, http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article10098290.html. Additionally, Brown planned to eventually help Jordan enter Syria from Turkey.“Raleigh Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Provide Material Support for Terrorism,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 16, 2014, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/raleigh-man-pleads-guilty-conspiring-provide-material-support-terrorism.
Brown was arrested as he attempted to board a flight headed for Turkey. In a subsequent Mirandized interview, Brown admitted he intended to travel onward to Syria.“Raleigh Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Provide Material Support for Terrorism,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 16, 2014, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/raleigh-man-pleads-guilty-conspiring-provide-material-support-terrorism. Brown had reportedly made contact with an ISIS member in Syria, with whom he planned to meet.“Raleigh Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Provide Material Support for Terrorism,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 16, 2014, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/raleigh-man-pleads-guilty-conspiring-provide-material-support-terrorism.
On August 12, 2014, Brown pleaded guilty to “conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists.”“Raleigh Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Provide Material Support for Terrorism,” U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Public Affairs, October 16, 2014, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/raleigh-man-pleads-guilty-conspiring-provide-material-support-terrorism; “United States of America v. Avin Marsalis Brown aka ‘Musa Brown’ – Judgement,” United States District Court – Eastern District of North Carolina, July 5, 2016, https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs2191/f/Brown%20Judgment.pdf. He was sentenced to 92 months in federal prison on July 5, 2016.“United States of America v. Avin Marsalis Brown aka ‘Musa Brown’ – Judgement,” United States District Court – Eastern District of North Carolina, July 5, 2016, https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs2191/f/Brown%20Judgment.pdf; “Raleigh Men Who Sought to Fight in Syria Sentenced to Prison,” WRAL Raleigh, July 5, 2016, https://www.wral.com/2-nc-men-who-sought-to-fight-in-syria-sentenced-to-prison/15831356/. Brown was released from prison early on September 28, 2020.“AVIN MARSALIS BROWN,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed March 18, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.
North Carolina resident Akba Jihad Jordan is an American who planned with co-conspirator Avin Marsalis Brown to fight alongside extremist groups including ISIS, AQAP, and the Nusra Front. Starting in May 2013, both Jordan and Brown communicated and met with FBI agents posing as jihadists. The pair told the agents that they wished to fight kuffar (nonbelievers), both in the United States and overseas.“United State of America v. Avin Marsalis Brown (aka Musa Brown) Akba Jihad Jordan,” United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, March 20, 2014, http://ftpcontent5.worldnow.com/wncn/pdf/raid.pdf. The FBI agents witnessed Jordan and Brown discuss weaponry, and Jordan reportedly told Brown that he would not hesitate to use his AK-47.“Raleigh Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Provide Material Support for Terrorism,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 16, 2014, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/raleigh-man-pleads-guilty-conspiring-provide-material-support-terrorism. According to a federal affidavit, Jordan “functioned as a type of physical fitness, firearms and tactics instructor” for Brown.Bruce Siceloff, “Second Raleigh man pleads guilty in ISIS terror-support conspiracy,” News & Observer, October 16, 2014, http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article10098290.html.
In March 2014, U.S. authorities raided Jordan’s apartment and arrested him, finding a bulletproof vest, an AK-47, swords, and other weapons in his home. Authorities simultaneously arrested Brown at Raleigh Durham International Airport as he attempted to board a plane headed for Turkey. In October 2014, Jordan pled guilty to conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.“Raleigh Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Provide Material Support for Terrorism,” U.S. Department of Justice, October 16, 2014, http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/raleigh-man-pleads-guilty-conspiring-provide-material-support-terrorism. On July 5, 2016, Jordan was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision. His co-conspirator Avin Brown was sentenced to 92 months in prison and five years post-release supervision.“Raleigh Men Sentenced for Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to Terrorist,” U.S. Department of Justice – Eastern District of North Carolina, July 5, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/raleigh-men-sentenced-conspiracy-provide-material-support-terrorist. Jordan is currently incarcerated at Butner Low Federal Correctional Institute in North Carolina, with an anticipated release date of November 17, 2021.“Akba Jihad Jordan,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed March 8, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.
Muhammad Dakhlalla, a U.S. citizen from Mississippi, was arrested on August 8, 2015, after attempting to travel to Syria to join ISIS with his fiancé, Jaelyn Young.“United States of America v. Jaelyn Delshaun Young and Muhammada Oda Dakhlalla,” United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, May 21, 2015, New York Times, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/705906/download. In March 2016, Dakhlalla and Young pled guilty to conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.“Mississippi Man Pleads Guilty in Terrorism Investigation,” U.S. Department of Justice, March 11, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/mississippi-man-pleads-guilty-terrorism-investigation; “Mississippi woman who tried to join ISIS pleads guilty,” CBS News, http://www.cbsnews.com/news/jaelyn-young-mississippi-woman-who-tried-to-join-isis-pleads-guilty/. In late August 2016, a U.S. district judge sentenced Dakhlalla to eight years in prison and 15 years of probation. At his sentencing, Dakhlalla publicly condemned ISIS, saying that he had been misled by the group’s propaganda videos online. “I was completely wrong about what ISIS was…I’ve come to the conclusion that they’re really sick and twisted. They twist Islam for their own agenda. I denounce them. I condemn them,” Dakhlalla told the court.Jeff Amy, “Mississippi Islamic State recruit gets 8 years in prison,” Associated Press, August 24, 2016, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/d3dc6118437b4741991040ffd0e8311e/mississippi-islamic-state-recruit-gets-8-years-prison. Jaelyn Young was sentenced to 12 years in prison earlier in August.Jeff Amy, “Mississippi woman gets 12-year sentence on terrorism charge,” Associated Press, August 11, 2016, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/383e88cda66c44b6a66c9536a9eb0bbf/mississippi-woman-be-sentenced-terrorism-charges.
Before their attempt to join ISIS abroad, Dakhlalla and Young had allegedly engaged in numerous conversations on social media sites with FBI agents posing as ISIS recruiters, dating back to May 2015.“United States of America v. Jaelyn Delshaun Young and Muhammada Oda Dakhlalla,” United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, May 21, 2015, New York Times, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/705906/download. During his correspondence with the undercover agents, Dakhlalla allegedly expressed an interest in fighting for ISIS.“United States of America v. Jaelyn Delshaun Young and Muhammada Oda Dakhlalla,” United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, May 21, 2015, New York Times, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/705906/download. He professed his willingness to fight, and said that he “wanted to be taught what it really means to have that heart in battle.”Chris Thies, “Timeline of events leading to the arrest of alleged ISIS recruits,” KMOV St Louis, August 13, 2015, http://www.kmov.com/story/29784129/timeline-of-events-leading-to-the-arrest-of-alleged-isis-recruits.
Dakhlalla and Young reportedly obtained Turkish visas and purchased airline tickets. On August 7, 2015, the couple purchased tickets for Delta Airlines flight 5703, which departed from Columbus, Mississippi, with a final destination of Istanbul, Turkey.Chris Thies, “Timeline of events leading to the arrest of alleged ISIS recruits,” KMOV St Louis, August 13, 2015, http://www.kmov.com/story/29784129/timeline-of-events-leading-to-the-arrest-of-alleged-isis-recruits. They were arrested the next day at Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus.Chris Thies, “Timeline of events leading to the arrest of alleged ISIS recruits,” KMOV St Louis, August 13, 2015, http://www.kmov.com/story/29784129/timeline-of-events-leading-to-the-arrest-of-alleged-isis-recruits.
On August 11, 2015, a federal magistrate in Mississippi ordered that Dakhlalla and Young be held without bail.Jeff Amy, “No bail for couple accused of trying to join Islamic State,” August 11, 2015, Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/charge-2-mississippi-residents-aimed-to-join-islamic-state/2015/08/10/f6da8f72-3fd3-11e5-b2c4-af4c6183b8b4_story.html. The pair was charged with attempting and conspiring to knowingly provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization. They face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.Richard Fausset, “Young Mississippi Couple Linked to ISIS, Perplexing All,” August 14, 2015, New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/15/us/disbelief-in-mississippi-at-how-far-isis-message-can-travel.html?_r=0.
Dakhlalla graduated from college with a psychology degree in May of 2015 and told his family that he was starting graduate school at Mississippi State University in August of 2015. Though he was accepted into the graduate program, Dakhlalla had never enrolled.Jason Silverstein, “Young Mississippi couple planned to marry and join ISIS in Syria: officials,” New York Daily News, August 11, 2015, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/young-mississippi-couple-planned-marry-join-isis-article-1.2321769.
Arrested in August 2015 after attempting to travel to ISIS-controlled territory with fiancée Jaelyn Young. Pled guilty to conspiring to provide material support to ISIS and was sentenced to eight years in prison in August 2016.
Watched videos with Young that showed ISIS members helping people in Syria and Iraq. One video showed an ISIS member throwing a man off the roof of a building. Stated that he was misled by the propaganda videos, and reportedly changed his mind about ISIS after watching TV coverage of the group while jailed. Also stated that the “humanitarian” activities portrayed in the video especially stuck out to him.
Somali-born Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud is accused of allegedly plotting a terrorist attack in the United States.Kathy Lynn Gray, The Columbus Dispatch, April 17, 2015, http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/04/16/columbus-man-terrorism-indictment.html. Mohamud immigrated with his family to Columbus, Ohio at the age of 2.Tracy Connor, “Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud, Ohio Terror Suspect, a ‘Normal Kid’: Lawyer,” NBC News, April 17, 2015, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ohios-syria-trained-terror-suspect-pleads-not-guilty-n343486. He remained in Ohio until venturing to Syria in April 2014 to join the Nusra Front, the chief al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria.Kathy Lynn Gray, The Columbus Dispatch, April 17, 2015, http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/04/16/columbus-man-terrorism-indictment.html. His older brother Abdifatah Aden had made the same journey to Syria in May 2013.Tracy Connor, “Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud, Ohio Terror Suspect, a ‘Normal Kid’: Lawyer,” NBC News, April 17, 2015, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ohios-syria-trained-terror-suspect-pleads-not-guilty-n343486.
In February 2014, Mohamud offered to send Aden money and two months later he traveled to Syria with $1,000 in tow.Tracy Connor, “Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud, Ohio Terror Suspect, a ‘Normal Kid’: Lawyer,” NBC News, April 17, 2015, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ohios-syria-trained-terror-suspect-pleads-not-guilty-n343486. While in Syria, Mohamud allegedly trained in the use of weapons and explosives before he was instructed to return to the United States to commit terrorism.Tracy Connor, “Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud, Ohio Terror Suspect, a ‘Normal Kid’: Lawyer,” NBC News, April 17, 2015, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ohios-syria-trained-terror-suspect-pleads-not-guilty-n343486.
According to the indictment issued by a federal grand jury, Mohamud became a U.S. citizen on February 18, 2014.Kathy Lynn Gray, The Columbus Dispatch, April 17, 2015, http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/04/16/columbus-man-terrorism-indictment.html. After completing training in Syria, a cleric dispatched him to recruit others and carry out an attack within the United States. Mohamud returned on June 4, 2014, (four days after his brother Aden died in combat in Syria) to attack a U.S. military base or prison.Tracy Connor, “Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud, Ohio Terror Suspect, a ‘Normal Kid’: Lawyer,” NBC News, April 17, 2015, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ohios-syria-trained-terror-suspect-pleads-not-guilty-n343486. On February 21, 2015, U.S. authorities arrested Mohamud in Ohio on charges of providing material support for individuals engaged in terrorism.Scott Shane, “Ohio Man Trained in Syria Is Charged With Planning Terrorism in U.S.,” New York Times, April 16, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/17/us/ohio-man-trained-in-syria-is-charged-with-planning-terrorism-in-us.html. Mohamud has pled not guilty to the charges. Mohamud pled guilty to the charges in August 2015.Matt Zapotosky, “Ohio man who trained with terrorists overseas and plotted to kill U.S. troops sentenced to 22 years,” Washington Post, January 22, 2018, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/ohio-man-who-trained-with-terrorists-overseas-and-plotted-to-kill-us-troops-sentenced-to-22-years/2018/01/22/2d18ff42-ff8f-11e7-9d31-d72cf78dbeee_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.b11c12ac7407. In December 2017, he officially requested to be deported to Somalia rather than serve time in jail in the United States.Associated Press, “Man accused in terror plot asked for deportation over prison,” Fox News, January 28, 2018, http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/01/28/man-accused-in-terror-plot-asked-for-deportation-over-prison.html. Mohamud was sentenced to 22 years in prison on January 1, 2018. The local Homeland Security Investigations office said it also intended to pursue deportation.Matt Zapotosky, “Ohio man who trained with terrorists overseas and plotted to kill U.S. troops sentenced to 22 years,” Washington Post, January 22, 2018, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/ohio-man-who-trained-with-terrorists-overseas-and-plotted-to-kill-us-troops-sentenced-to-22-years/2018/01/22/2d18ff42-ff8f-11e7-9d31-d72cf78dbeee_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.b11c12ac7407; Associated Press, “Man accused in terror plot asked for deportation over prison,” Fox News, January 28, 2018, http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/01/28/man-accused-in-terror-plot-asked-for-deportation-over-prison.html.
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.
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.
Shannon Maureen Conley is an American citizen and attempted foreign fighter for ISIS. The FBI arrested Conley on April 8, 2014, at the Denver airport after purchasing a one-way flight to Turkey via Frankfurt, Germany.Ed Mazza, “Shannon Maureen Conley, Colorado Woman, Arrested on Terror Charges,” Huffington Post, July 2, 2014, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/02/shannon-maureen-conley-arrested-isis_n_5553622.html. Conley allegedly sought to travel to Syria to marry a Tunisian ISIS fighter she met online.Ed Mazza, “Shannon Maureen Conley, Colorado Woman, Arrested on Terror Charges,” Huffington Post, July 2, 2014, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/02/shannon-maureen-conley-arrested-isis_n_5553622.html.
In November 2013, federal authorities were alerted to Conley’s suspicious behavior outside the Faith Bible Chapel in Arvada, Colorado, where she allegedly appeared taking notes on numerous days.Jenny Deam, “Colorado woman’s quest for jihad baffles neighbors,” Los Angeles Times, July 25, 2014, http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-high-school-jihadi-20140726-story.html#page=1. According to court documents, the FBI visited her and her family on various occasions in an attempt to dissuade her from joining ISIS.Jenny Deam, “Colorado woman’s quest for jihad baffles neighbors,” Los Angeles Times, July 25, 2014, http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-high-school-jihadi-20140726-story.html#page=1.
In January 2015, Conley pled guilty to the charges and received a four year prison sentence.Michael Martinez, Ana Cabrera, and Sara Weisfeldt, “Colorado woman gets 4 years for wanting to join ISIS,” CNN, January 24, 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/23/us/colorado-woman-isis-sentencing/.
Attempted foreign fighter (/jihadi bride): Arrested at Denver International Airport en route to Turkey to await word from male ISIS contact in Syria. Convicted and sentenced to four years in prison on charges of conspiracy to support ISIS.
Owned DVDs of al-Awlaki’s lectures
Attempted foreign fighter, Colorado: Arrested in April 2014 aboard a plane at Denver International Airport. According to court documents, Conley had intended to fly to Germany and then Turkey in order to join ISIS in Syria. There, Conley planned to marry a Tunisian jihadist whom she had met online. Conley pled guilty in January 2015 to material support charges related to her attempt to join ISIS. She was sentenced to four years in prison.
Attempted foreign fighter, Colorado: Arrested in April 2014 aboard a plane at Denver International Airport. According to court documents, Conley had intended to fly to Germany and then Turkey in order to join ISIS in Syria. There, Conley planned to marry a Tunisian jihadist whom she had met online. Conley pled guilty in January 2015 to material support charges related to her attempt to join ISIS. She was sentenced to four years in prison.
Arrested at Denver International Airport in April 2014 en route to Turkey, where she planned to await further instructions from a male ISIS contact in Syria. Convicted and sentenced to four years in prison on charges of conspiring to support ISIS.
Owned DVDs of lectures given by now-deceased AQAP recruiter Anwar al-Awlaki.
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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