The FBI arrested three men on Friday on charges of conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State (ISIS), according to a statement from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).
Bisaam Ghafoor, 21, Elias Shamsaldeen, 21, and Bereen Dzayee, 25, were taken into custody following a complaint filed in the District of Kansas. They were accused of 'conspiring to provide material support to terrorism' after collectively giving over $2,000 in cryptocurrency to an individual believed to be a member of ISIS.
The allegations in the complaint were found to be substantiated, and the funds were proven to have been used for ISIS drones, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and other weaponry that killed US forces in overseas combat.
Following the arrest, alarming message exchanges between the suspects were discovered and disclosed in the DOJ report.
Ghafoor reportedly said that it would be “sick” if his name could be written on the drone used in an attack on Americans. Dzayee suggested that targets of drones should include US Special Forces. In other exchanges, Shamsaldeen expressed a desire to stab and injure a US servicemember. Ghafoor said he has always wanted to kill a female soldier by beheading, and added, “I wish I could kill 300,000,000 Americans.”
Terrorists, cartels, and gangs 'put on notice'
“This administration has put terrorists, cartels, and gangs on notice,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in reaction to the arrests.
“Today’s arrest of three individuals who allegedly conspired to provide material support to ISIS makes clear our commitment to taking down terrorist networks - anywhere.”
“These subjects allegedly swore allegiance to ISIS, plotted multiple attacks, and even targeted US service members - but this FBI stopped them cold,” said FBI Director Kash Patel.
“The success of this op shows once again this FBI’s continued record of stopping terrorist attacks before they happen, simply the best way to defend the homeland - and shows we’ll stop at nothing to defend Americans from those who seek to do us harm," Patel added.
US cracks down on terror support
The arrest is part of a trend of US government efforts to crack down on terror support within the country.
In May, a resident of Michigan was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of two charges related to his attempt to provide material support to ISIS.
Aws Mohammed Naser, 38, was found guilty following a five-week trial last year.
The jury unanimously determined that he attempted to provide support to ISIS in the form of personnel (including himself) and services. Additionally, Naser was found guilty of constructing and possessing an explosive device.