Federal agents arrested a Central Valley man Tuesday on suspicion of attempting to provide aid to ISIS in the form of guns, equipment, and money, authorities said.
Ammaad Akhtar, 33, of Stockton, has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The arrest stemmed from an undercover sting in which Akhtar communicated with a person he believed to be a member of the terror group, but was actually working with law enforcement, according to the agency.
Money, weapons and allegiance
The investigation began in February, when investigators allege Akhtar began conversing with the informant online.
“In these conversations, Akhtar voiced his support for ISIS and jihad, expressed a desire to travel overseas to join and fight with ISIS, and stated a desire to send guns and money to ISIS,” the DOJ said in a written statement.
He then sent money, which he believed would be used for ISIS activities, on multiple occasions in April, prosecutors said. He was told the funds had been used to supply the organization with guns.
“In his response, Akhtar said, ‘may Allah destroy our enemies’ and affirmed that he would send more money that same day,” the according to the statement.
Officials said the defendant spoke of planning acts of violence, including a bombing and an attack on a specific person.
“He said he ‘want[s] to die in the cause of Allah fighting the kuffar [infidels]’ and asked for instructions on how to make a homemade explosive device in order ‘to make a boom’ at a populated event,” the statement said.
No further details on the alleged plot were released.
On the day before his arrest, Akhtar met with an undercover investigator whom he thought was an ISIS associate, according to prosecutors. He allegedly provided two loaded handguns, six additional magazines, binoculars, clothing, and $400 in cash.
“Akhtar then swore bayat (a pledge of loyalty) to ISIS,” the statement added.
Details regarding the defendant’s next court appearance were not available.
If convicted, Akhtar faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case is being investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the New York Police Department.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Stockton, California man accused of trying to provide guns, equipment, money to ISIS
Reporting by Brian Day, USA TODAY NETWORK / The Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
