SAN DIEGO – Canadian national and former San Diego resident
Abdullahi Ahmed Abdullahi made his initial appearance in federal court today
following his extradition to the United States on charges that he conspired
with others to provide material support to terrorists engaged in violent
activities in Syria.
Abdullahi is charged in a two-count indictment with
conspiring with several Canadian and U.S. citizens, including Douglas McCain
(“Douglas”), the first known American who died fighting for the Islamic State
of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) on or about August 25, 2014. Douglas resided in San
Diego prior to departing the United States for Turkey, and eventually, Syria.
“Terrorist networks like ISIS cannot exist without
supporters,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “Protecting Americans from
terrorists is our highest priority, and we will work hard to bring justice to
those who provide material support to foreign terror organizations. I would
like to thank the prosecutors, the FBI, our Joint Terrorism Task Force and our
international law enforcement partners for all that they do to keep our
communities safe.”
“Today’s announcement should serve as a warning to those who
have traveled, attempted to travel, or support those fighting on behalf of
ISIS. The FBI remains steadfast in ensuring they face justice," said FBI
Special Agent in Charge Scott Brunner. “I commend San Diego's Joint Terrorism
Task Force (JTTF) and our interagency and international partners for their
committed work which resulted in Abdullahi returning to the United States to
answer for the crimes he is accused of committing.”
The Abdullahi indictment alleges that from in or about
August 2013 through in or about November 2014, Abdullahi conspired with Douglas
and other individuals to provide personnel and money to individuals engaged in
terrorist activities in Syria, including the killing, kidnapping and maiming of
persons. Specifically, the indictment
alleges that Abdullahi facilitated the travel of at least three Canadian
nationals and two U.S. citizens to Syria to join and fight for ISIS, all of
whom were subsequently reportedly killed fighting for ISIS.
As alleged in the indictment, in order to get money to fund
travel to and fighting with terrorists in Syria, Abdullahi’s co-conspirators
encouraged others to commit crimes against the “kuffar” (an Arabic term meaning
infidels or non-believers), such as theft. In furtherance of this material
support conspiracy, the indictment alleges that on January 9, 2014, prior to
the travel of Douglas and a second American, Abdullahi committed an armed
robbery of a jewelry store in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in order to finance
the travel of Douglas and other members of the conspiracy to Syria. Thereafter, Abdullahi wired and caused others
to wire money to other members of the conspiracy in the United States --
including approximately $3,100 to Douglas. The money paid for Douglas and the
second individual to travel from the United States to Turkey. They later moved
into Syria and engaged in terrorist activities, alongside other
co-conspirators, including North Americans with whom Abdullahi maintained ties.
Additionally, members of the conspiracy, including
Abdullahi, wired and caused money to be wired to third-party intermediaries in
Gaziantep, Turkey (located approximately 40 miles from the Syrian border) for
the purpose of supporting members of the conspiracy fighting and engaging in
terrorist activity in Syria, including the killing, kidnapping, and maiming of
persons.
On March 10, 2017, a federal grand jury in the Southern
District of California returned a two-count sealed indictment charging
Abdullahi with conspiring to provide, and providing, material support to
terrorists. On September 15, 2017,
pursuant to an extradition request by the United States, Canadian authorities
arrested Abdullahi. Abdullahi was detained in Canadian custody without bail,
pending extradition. Canadian
authorities surrendered Abdullahi to the United States yesterday.
In a related case, Marchello Dsaun McCain, a convicted
violent felon and the brother of Douglas, was sentenced in 2018 in federal
court to 10 years in prison for his illegal possession of a cache of firearms
and body armor and making false statements to federal agents involving
international terrorism.
At today’s hearing, prosecutors moved to detain Abdullahi
based on risk of flight and danger to the community. A detention hearing will
be held on October 29 at 10:45 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Karen S. Crawford.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office wishes to thank the Department of
Justice’s Office of International Affairs and our Canadian law enforcement
partners, including the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service, the Public
Prosecution Service of Canada, and the Canada Crown Prosecutor’s Office, for
their extraordinary work in the process of securing Abdullahi’s extradition and
return to the United States to face charges.
DEFENDANT Criminal
Case No. 17CR0622-W
Abdullahi Ahmed Abdullahi Age: 34 Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to Terrorists – Title
18, U.S.C., Sections 2339A(a)
Maximum penalty: 15 years’ imprisonment and $250,000 fine
Providing Material Support to Terrorists – Title 18, U.S.C.,
Sections 2339A(a)
Maximum penalty: 15 years’ imprisonment and $250,000 fine.
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
San Diego Joint Terrorism Task Force
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Air Marshal Service
Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security
Investigations
Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Border Patrol
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