Mansuri Manuchekhri, a 33-year-old resident of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, New York, was arrested on charges related to providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K). He faces allegations of possessing firearms while unlawfully in the United States and committing immigration fraud. Manuchekhri appeared in court in the Eastern District of New York following his arrest.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, "Under no circumstances will my Department of Justice tolerate terrorism." She emphasized the commitment to finding and prosecuting those who pose threats to American citizens. FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted that "the defendant allegedly supported ISIS and sent thousands of dollars overseas to individuals connected to ISIS."
Sue Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, affirmed that "the Justice Department will relentlessly pursue those who fund and support terrorists." U.S. Attorney John J. Durham for the Eastern District of New York noted that Manuchekhri allegedly facilitated significant financial contributions to ISIS extremists abroad while residing illegally in the United States.
According to the complaint, Manuchekhri entered the U.S. from Tajikistan on a tourist visa in June 2016 but remained after its expiration in December 2016. In March 2017, he reportedly engaged in a sham marriage with an American citizen to gain legal status but did not complete necessary documentation.
Between December 2021 and April 2023, while living in Brooklyn, Manuchekhri is accused of sending over $50,000 to ISIS affiliates in Turkey and Syria. This includes funds sent to an individual later detained by Turkish authorities for involvement in a January 2024 terrorist attack claimed by ISIS-K.
The complaint also alleges that Manuchekhri possessed firearms illegally as an alien unlawfully present in the U.S., visiting shooting ranges frequently. In February 2022, he recorded himself firing an assault rifle at a range in New Jersey and shared it with an ISIS affiliate abroad.
If convicted on these charges under case number 1:25-mj-00064-RML-1 at U.S. v. Manuchekhri in Eastern District Court of New York, he could face up to 45 years imprisonment. The sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on guidelines and statutory factors.
The prosecution team includes Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert M. Pollack and Andrew D. Reich along with Trial Attorneys John Cella, Andrea Broach, George Kraehe, Ryan White from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section with Paralegal Specialist Wayne Colón assisting.
It is important to note that criminal complaints are allegations; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.