Maryland Man Pleads Guilty for Conspiring to Provide and for Providing Material Support to ISIS

Mohamed Elshinawy, 32, of Edgewood, Md., pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization; providing and attempting to provide material support to ISIS terrorism financing; and making false statements in connection with a terrorism matter.

Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Dana J. Boente, Acting U.S. Attorney of the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning and Special Agent in Charge Gordon Johnson of the FBI’s Baltimore Office.

According to the plea agreement, Elshinawy conspired with others to knowingly provide material support and resources to ISIS, knowing that ISIS was a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. From February 2015 through about Dec. 11, 2015, in Maryland and elsewhere, Elshinawy conspired with others to provide material support and resources, including personnel, services (including means and methods of communication), and financial services, to ISIS.  Elshinawy and his co-conspirators utilized various methods of secret communication in order to conceal their criminal association and activities from law enforcement.

As a part of the conspiracy, Elshinawy expressed his support for an Islamic caliphate and his belief in the legitimacy of ISIS. In addition, he expressed his hope that ISIS would be victorious and its enemies defeated, and discussed his readiness to travel to live in the Islamic State. In various other conversations, Elshinawy pledged his allegiance to ISIS, described himself as its soldier, committed to making violent jihad, and asked that others convey his message of loyalty to ISIS leadership.

Elshinawy also received payments from a foreign company totaling $8,700 to be used to fund a terrorist attack in the U.S.

In an interview with FBI agents on July 17, 2015, in an effort to conceal and minimize his criminal involvement with ISIS, Elshinawy provided false information regarding the total amount of money he had received from ISIS operatives and claimed his intent was to defraud ISIS of funds. Throughout his interviews, Elshinawy mischaracterized the true nature and extent of his association with ISIS operatives and the support he had provided to ISIS.

The maximum sentence for conspiracy to provide and for providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization is 20 years in prison; the maximum sentence for collection of terrorism financing is 20 years in prison; and the maximum sentence for making false statements in a terrorism matter is eight years in prison.  The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes.  Elshinawy’s sentence will be determined by the court after considering the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Elshinawy has been detained since his arrest on Dec. 11, 2015, on related charges.

Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Dana J. Boente and Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the FBI for its work in the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Manuelian and Kenneth Clark and the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

Maryland Man Charged With Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS and Attempted Murder

A federal grand jury charged Nelash Das, age 25, a citizen of Bangladesh previously residing in Landover Hills, Maryland, today with attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization; attempting to murder a federal employee; and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The defendant previously had been indicted on the material support charge. The defendant remains detained pending further court proceedings.

Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Dana J. Boente, Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen M. Schenning for the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office made the announcement.

The superseding indictment alleges that from October 2015 to Sept. 30, 2016, Das knowingly attempted to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization, namely ISIS. The superseding indictment further alleges that Das knew that ISIS is a designated foreign terrorist organization and engages in terrorist activity. The superseding indictment charges Das with attempting to murder a federal employee – an individual who was a member of the uniformed services and a Special Agent with the FBI. The superseding indictment also charges Das with using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to the material support and attempted murder charges.  Das is a legal permanent resident.

According to court documents, ISIS members and supporters have posted identifying information about U.S. military personnel in hopes that ISIS supporters would carry out attacks against them.  Das allegedly planned to kill a U.S. military member in support of ISIS.

If convicted, Das faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

A superseding indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by superseding indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. If convicted of any offense, the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court after considering the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Boente and Acting U.S. Attorney Schenning commended the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force for its work on the investigation and thanked the prosecutors that are handling the matter.

National Security Division Announces Launch of Enhanced Website to Assist Victims of Overseas Terrorism

The Justice Department’s Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism (DOJ/OVT), which helps U.S. citizen victims and their families harmed in terrorist attacks abroad, launched its enhanced website today.  The enhanced website makes it easier than ever for victims and their families to access DOJ/OVT’s resources.  The announcement was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Dana J. Boente and DOJ/OVT Director Heather Cartwright.

“The Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism serves as an advocate for our citizens impacted by overseas terrorism as they navigate foreign criminal justice systems in pursuit of accountability,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Boente. “OVT’s enhanced website will make it easier to connect Americans with crucial services and information in the aftermath of an overseas terrorist attack.  We remain committed to providing these critical resources to American victims of overseas terrorism and their families.”

According to DOJ/OVT Director Heather Cartwright, “providing information to U.S. citizen victims of overseas terrorist attacks and their loved ones is a critical part of our office’s mission. Public outreach through our website is one important way of making information accessible to victims. We enhanced our website with a focus on the needs of victims and their families, and it highlights the help that we and our U.S. government partners provide to support U.S. victims of overseas terrorism. We hope this redesigned website is informative and helpful to victims, survivors and all those who are interested in the work of this office.”

In this era of global terrorist attacks affecting Americans, the enhanced website focuses on helping victims at different stages in the attack aftermath learn about available resources, whether they live at home in the U.S. or abroad. The redesigned website includes:

    Emergency contacts for the immediate crisis as well as resources for the longer term, especially during foreign criminal justice proceedings, which can now be quickly accessed to gain clarity during what can be a confusing and overwhelming experience;

    Web referrals so that users can explore and connect with the DOJ/OVT’s partner agencies to seek other assistance available from the U.S. government;

    An online “toolbox” that provides more in-depth descriptions of DOJ/OVT services, legal definitions, victims’ rights, general information about terrorism abroad and common victim questions. These features afford victims and their families a simplified starting point when they are seeking answers to difficult questions;

    A newly-designed interactive map that contains information about DOJ/OVT’s efforts worldwide; and,

    Press releases highlighting major developments in the criminal justice response to overseas terrorist attacks with U.S. victims will continue to be posted to the website.

DOJ/OVT was established on May 6, 2005, by then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and is now part of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, which was created in 2006.  DOJ/OVT’s primary responsibility to Americans who are victims of overseas terrorism is to help navigate foreign criminal justice systems.  DOJ/OVT advocates for U.S. victims and their families to obtain information, be present during foreign terrorism prosecutions, and have a voice during the proceedings, as permitted by foreign law. DOJ/OVT further advocates for overseas terrorism victims’ voices to be heard throughout the world.

For more information on the important work done by DOJ/OVT every day, please visit www.justice.gov/nsd-ovt. If you are a U.S. citizen victim of international terrorism or a victim’s family member and you seek information on foreign criminal justice proceedings, DOJ/OVT can assist you. Please contact DOJ/OVT at nsd.ovt@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail).