A former Iraqi refugee residing in Richmond, Texas, has pleaded guilty to charges related to supporting a foreign terrorist organization. Abdulrahman Mohammed Hafedh Alqaysi, aged 28, admitted to conspiring to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).
Between 2015 and 2020, Alqaysi utilized his computer skills for the ISIS media arm known as the Kalachnikov team. He was involved in developing and posting logos, sharing hacking videos and instructions with ISIS members, and distributing stolen credit card information along with fraudulently created identity documents.
U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett accepted Alqaysi's plea. Sentencing is scheduled for June 5, where he faces up to 20 years in prison and a potential fine of $250,000. Alqaysi remains in custody until the sentencing hearing.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Houston Joint Terrorism Task Force with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Winter from the Southern District of Texas is prosecuting the case alongside Trial Attorney Michael Dittoe from the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section.