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Federal authorities arrested three American citizens on Friday on allegations they used cryptocurrency to help fund what they believed would be weapons purchases for attacks targeting U.S. service members overseas.
According to a criminal complaint filed Thursday, the defendants collectively transferred more than $2,000 that they believed would be used to purchase drones and rocket-propelled grenades for attacks tied to the Islamic State group.
The defendants were identified as Bisaam Ghafoor, 21, of Leawood, Kansas; Elias Shamsaldeen, 21, of Porterville, California; and Bereen Dzayee, 25, of Lakeside, California.
Each man faces one count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in federal prison, lifetime supervised release and fines of up to $250,000.
Federal investigators allege the three men pledged allegiance to ISIS and discussed traveling overseas to fight alongside the terrorist organization.
“This administration has put terrorists, cartels, and gangs on notice,” acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement Friday.
“Today’s arrest of three individuals who allegedly conspired to provide material support to ISIS makes clear our commitment to taking down terrorist networks — anywhere,” Blanche added. “Thanks to the vigilance of the FBI, their alleged scheme was dismantled and further acts of violence against U.S. service members were prevented.”
Authorities said the money was actually sent to FBI-controlled confidential sources and undercover operatives rather than real ISIS members.
According to the complaint, Ghafoor requested that his name be written on a rocket-propelled grenade that he believed would be used in an attack against American troops overseas.
Investigators also allege Shamsaldeen provided money intended to purchase drones for attacks on U.S. military personnel.
The complaint states Ghafoor said it would be “sick” if his name appeared on a drone used in an attack targeting Americans. A confidential source later allegedly sent him an image showing his name written on a rocket-propelled grenade.
Federal authorities further alleged Dzayee suggested targeting U.S. special forces with drones, while Shamsaldeen discussed wanting to stab and injure an American service member.
Investigators also accused Ghafoor of expressing violent anti-American views, including stating that he wanted to kill a female soldier by beheading and saying, “I wish I could kill 300,000,000 Americans.”
The Department of Justice said all three men were taken into custody Friday morning. Court records did not immediately indicate whether they had appeared before a judge.
