A former Iraqi refugee, Abdulrahman Mohammed Hafedh Alqaysi, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the development regarding the 28-year-old legal permanent resident of Richmond.
Alqaysi admitted to aiding the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) by providing material support and resources. Between 2015 and 2020, he utilized his computer skills to create and post logos for ISIS's media arm, known as the Kalachnikov team. Additionally, he distributed hacking videos, instructions, stolen credit card information, and fraudulently created identity documents to ISIS members.
“The Department of Justice and the Southern District of Texas are committed to rooting out terror elements in our communities, wherever they may be,” stated Ganjei. “If you’re working to subvert the United States through violence, you will be found and you will be punished.”
U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett accepted Alqaysi's plea and scheduled sentencing for June 5. Alqaysi could face up to 20 years in federal prison along with a possible maximum fine of $250,000.
Alqaysi remains in custody pending sentencing. The FBI Houston Joint Terrorism Task Force led the investigation with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Winter is prosecuting the case alongside NSD Trial Attorney Michael Dittoe.