Stockton man accused of trying to send weapons, materials to ISIS
If convicted, Akhtar faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to officials.
STOCKTON, Calif. — A man from Stockton was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly attempting to provide support and materials to the terrorist group ISIS, according to the U.S Department of Justice.
The DOJ said court documents from February show that Ammaad Akhtar, 33, was allegedly communicating online with an authority-controlled person whom he thought was a member of ISIS.
Akhtar told the false ISIS member that he supported the terrorist organization, wanted to join them and send guns and money to ISIS, officials said.
During an April investigation, the suspect allegedly sent money on multiple occasions. The authority-controlled person told the suspect that ISIS bought multiple guns with the money sent.
Officials said Akhtar expressed that he wanted all their enemies destroyed and confirmed he would be sending more money that same day.
According to the DOJ, he also talked about wanting to commit acts of violence, including attacking a specific person and committing an attack with homemade explosives. He then requested that the false ISIS member provide instructions on how to make a homemade explosive device in order “to make a boom” at a populated event.
Akhtar met with an authority-controlled, false ISIS member on Monday and provided them with clothing, binoculars, $400 cash, two loaded guns and six additional magazines, the DOJ said. He then swore a pledge of loyalty to ISIS.
If convicted, Akhtar faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to officials.
The FBI’s Sacramento Field Office is investigating.