A man from Stockton, California, has been arrested after attempting to provide material support to ISIS, the Justice Department said.
Ammaad Akhtar had been communicating online with a law enforcement-controlled individual since February, the DOJ explained, noting that the man believed the individual was a member of ISIS. During conversations, Akhtar voiced his support for the terrorist entity and jihad, describing his desire to fight alongside the group.
The man provided financial funding for ISIS on several occasions. “After a few payments, the law enforcement-controlled individual indicated that ISIS had procured several guns with the money Akhtar had sent,” the DOJ explained. “In his response, Akhtar said, ‘may Allah destroy our enemies’ and affirmed that he would send more money that same day.”
Akhtar also discussed plans for violence, conducting an attack, and using homemade explosives, saying he wanted to “die in the cause of Allah fighting the kuffar [infidels].”
Earlier this week, Akhtar met with an undercover DOJ employee he believed to be an ISIS contact. He provided the employee with clothing, binoculars, $400 in cash, two loaded guns, and six magazines.
Akhtar faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
Earlier this month, a man was extradited to the United States after plotting to conduct an “ISIS-inspired mass shooting” in New York City, the DOJ said at the time.
“The foreign terrorist organization ISIS remains a clear and present danger to the American people, and our Jewish citizens are especially targeted by evil groups like these,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “The Department of Justice is proud to help secure this extradition, and we will prosecute this man to the fullest extent of the law.”
