A federal jury has convicted Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, a resident of Springfield, on charges related to providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). The conviction was announced on December 13 following a trial that revealed Chhipa's activities from October 2019 through October 2022.
Court records and trial evidence indicated that Chhipa, aged 35, collected and transferred funds to female ISIS members in Syria. These funds were used to finance various operations for ISIS, including facilitating prison escapes and supporting fighters. Chhipa utilized social media platforms to raise money, which he received through electronic transfers or collected personally over long distances. He then converted these funds into cryptocurrency before sending them to Turkey, where they were smuggled into Syria for ISIS use.
Chhipa's primary accomplice was identified as a British-born ISIS member residing in Syria. This individual played a significant role in raising funds for prison breaks, terrorist activities, and supporting ISIS combatants.
Throughout the conspiracy, Chhipa transferred more than $185,000 in cryptocurrency. Consequently, the jury found him guilty of one count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization and four counts of providing and attempting such support.
Chhipa is facing a potential maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment per count when sentenced on May 5, 2025. However, federal sentences are often less severe than the maximum possible penalties. A federal district court judge will determine the final sentence after reviewing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors.
The announcement came from Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; and David Sundberg, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office. The verdict was accepted by U.S. District Judge David J. Novak.
The prosecution team includes Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony T. Aminoff and Amanda St. Cyr from the Eastern District of Virginia alongside Trial Attorneys Andrea Broach and Andrew John Dixon from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Further details about this case can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia or by searching Case No. 1:23-cr-97 on PACER.