Federal authorities have arrested three U.S. citizens accused of conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State, alleging they helped finance and encourage planned attacks targeting American military personnel overseas.
The arrests were announced Friday after a federal investigation spanning more than a year uncovered what prosecutors described as an online network of ISIS supporters communicating through encrypted messaging platforms and social media channels.
According to the Department of Justice, the defendants are 21-year-old Bisaam Ghafoor of Leawood, Kansas; 21-year-old Elias Shamsaldeen of Porterville, California; and 25-year-old Bereen Dzayee of Lakeside, California.
Federal agents arrested the three men in separate operations conducted in Kansas and California on June 5.
Authorities allege that from at least February 2025 through June 2026, the defendants participated in online communications supporting ISIS, formally pledged allegiance to the terrorist organization and its leadership, and provided financial assistance intended to support attacks against U.S. military personnel.
According to court documents, the men collectively transferred more than $2,000 to an individual they believed to be associated with ISIS.
Investigators allege the funds were intended to assist operations involving drones and other weapons that could be used against American service members deployed overseas.
The criminal complaint also details a series of online conversations in which the defendants allegedly discussed violence against U.S. military personnel and civilians.
According to prosecutors, Ghafoor allegedly expressed support for attacks on Americans and stated that it would be “sick” if his name were written on a drone used in an attack. Authorities further allege that he expressed a desire to kill U.S. soldiers and made statements supporting large-scale violence against Americans.
Investigators say Dzayee allegedly suggested that U.S. Special Forces personnel should be targeted in drone attacks, while Shamsaldeen allegedly discussed harming American servicemembers and expressed interest in participating in violent acts on behalf of ISIS.
The complaint also alleges that the defendants discussed creating a cryptocurrency-based fundraising operation to purchase weapons and military equipment.
Federal authorities claim that Ghafoor’s name was ultimately placed on ammunition intended for use in an overseas attack against American forces.
According to investigators, Shamsaldeen also allegedly provided financial resources intended to purchase drones that could be used against U.S. servicemembers stationed abroad.
Prosecutors further allege that the three men discussed traveling overseas to join ISIS and repeatedly expressed a willingness to fight and die for the terrorist organization.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche praised federal investigators for disrupting the alleged plot before any attacks occurred.
“This administration has put terrorists, cartels, and gangs on notice,” Blanche said in a statement. “Today’s arrest of three individuals who allegedly conspired to provide material support to ISIS makes clear our commitment to taking down terrorist networks.”
FBI Director Kash Patel described the arrests as another example of law enforcement preventing terrorist violence before it could occur, per Trending Politics.
“These subjects allegedly swore allegiance to ISIS, plotted multiple attacks, and even targeted U.S. service members,” Patel said.
The charges stem from conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, one of the most serious terrorism-related offenses under federal law.
If convicted, each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000.
The Justice Department emphasized that the allegations remain accusations and that all three defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
