Two men from California were convicted on Tuesday for plotting to provide material support to the Islamic State. One of the men additionally attempted to join the Islamic State and travel to the Middle East.
Nader Elhuzayel and Muhanad Badawi openly posted about Islamic State and terrorism on their social media accounts. Elhuzayel’s profile picture on Facebook featured a photo of an Islamic State flag and Badawi posted his support for the terror gruop and violence against non-Muslims on the social media site.
Court documents also indicate Elhuzayel intended to travel to the Middle East to join the Islamic State and then pledged his allegiance to leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
“Foreign terrorist fighters have traveled from countries around the world to join ISIL and are responsible for some of the most despicable acts of violence committed by the terrorist organization,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Carlin. “ISIL depends on these travelers as a significant part of its fighting force. Stopping Americans from engaging in terrorist activity on behalf of ISIL here or abroad will remain one of the highest priorities of the National Security Division.”
Elhuzayel and Badawi were arrested in 2015 when Elhuzayel attempted to board a flight to Turkey to join Islamic State.
“These convictions are a message to those who aim to travel to take up arms with ISIL and to those who support them – the FBI and our partners are determined to thwart your efforts,” said Deirdre Fike, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office. “The [Joint Terrorism Task Force’s] proactive identification of these subjects and disruption of a terrorist conspiracy is a coup in the fight against the scourge of ISIL. At trial, the jury heard evidence that Mr. Badawi also encouraged other associates to support ISIL and participate in violent jihad. This is a reminder that our work is not done and the public must remain steadfast and report suspicious behavior, whether that behavior is carried out in person or online.”
Elhuzayel was convicted of defrauding three different banks by depositing stolen checks and depositing them into his personal account. He then withdrew the cash from his personal account to fund his journey to Syria to join the Islamic State. Likewise, Badawi was convicted using federal financial aid to fund Elhuzayel’s initial, but halted, trip to Turkey.
Because he committed bank fraud, Elhuzayel faces a statutory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison. Badawi’s actions of committing financial aid fraud means he faces a statutory minimum sentence of five years. Their involvement providing material support to ISIS earns them a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years.
