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Texas resident pleads guilty to helping ISIS

“From 2015 to 2020, Alqaysi provided his computer expertise to develop and post logos for a media arm of the ISIS group known as the Kalachnikov team,” stated the U.S. Justice Department.

U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Credit: ajay_suresh via Wikimedia Commons.

Abdulrahman Mohammed Hafedh Alqaysi, 28, a legal permanent resident of Richmond, Texas, and a former Iraqi refugee, pled guilty to providing material support to ISIS, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization, the U.S. Department of Justice announced on March 7.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 5 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.

“From 2015 to 2020, Alqaysi provided his computer expertise to develop and post logos for a media arm of the ISIS group known as the Kalachnikov team,” stated the Justice Department. “He further sent hacking videos and instructions to ISIS members, in addition to stolen credit card information and fraudulently created identity documents.”

Alqaysi also pleaded guilty to providing stolen credit-card information and creating fraudulent identity documents, according to Fox News.

Pending the hearing, Alqaysi will remain in custody.

“The Department of Justice and the Southern District of Texas are committed to rooting out terror elements in our communities, wherever they may be,” said U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “If you’re working to subvert the United States through violence, you will be found and you will be punished.”

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