When Ammaad Akhtar, 33, of Stockton, acquired in contact with somebody he thought was a member of the Islamic State in February 2025, he expressed his help for the terrorist group.
He was truly messaging with an undercover federal agent, in keeping with an announcement from the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace, Jap District of California.
Prosecutors allege that in his conversations with the agent, Akhtar mentioned he wished to journey abroad and battle for ISIS.
Whereas he was below investigation, Akhtar despatched cash to the agent on a number of events, prosecutors mentioned. When advised by the agent that the cash had procured weapons for the Islamic State, Akhtar allegedly replied: “could Allah destroy our enemies.”
Akhtar additionally spoke about planning an assault himself, saying he “need[s] to die in the reason for Allah preventing the kuffar [infidels],” the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace mentioned.
He allegedly additionally requested for directions on the right way to make an explosive machine in an effort to “make a increase” at a public occasion.
On Monday, Akhtar lastly met with a purported ISIS contact — a federal agent — in particular person. On the assembly, the suspect offered “clothes, binoculars, $400 money, two loaded weapons, and 6 further magazines,” and swore a loyalty pledge to the Islamic State, prosecutors mentioned.
He was arrested Tuesday and charged by the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace with making an attempt to offer materials help to a international terrorist group.
If convicted, Akhtar would face a most penalty of 20 years in jail and a $250,000 positive.
