An Ohio man who was arrested at John Glenn International Airport in 2018 while trying to travel to Afghanistan to join ISIS Wilayat Khorasan (ISIS-K) has pleaded guilty in federal court.Naser Almadaoji, 22, of Beavercreek, is an Iraqi-born United States citizen. He was scheduled to start jury trial Monday. Almadaoji pleaded guilty Friday evening to one count of attempting to provide material support – himself, as personnel – to foreign terrorist organizations, namely ISIS and ISIS-K."This is now the second person from the Dayton area held accountable in recent times for trying to join ISIS," said Acting U.S. Attorney Vipal J. Patel. "Whatever grievances might exist with our government, our country, or our way of life, violence is not the answer."According to court documents, Almadaoji purchased a plane ticket for travel on Oct. 24, 2018, and was arrested after checking in and obtaining his boarding pass.Almadaoji intended to travel to Astana, Kazakhstan, where he planned to be smuggled into Afghanistan so that he could join and receive military training from ISIS-K in support of both that terrorist group and ISIS, those documents state. Federal officials say Almadaoji explained to an individual whom he believed to be an ISIS supporter that he wanted "weapons-experts training, planning and executing, hit-and-run, capturing high-value targets, ways to break into homes and avoid security guards. That type of training." He began making travel plans in September 2018.Prior to that, between Feb. 16 and 24, 2018, Almadaoji traveled to Egypt and Jordan for the purpose of joining ISIS's affiliate in the Sinai Peninsula, ISIS Wilayat Sinai, another designated foreign terrorist organization, but he ultimately was unsuccessful.Attempting to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
An Ohio man who was arrested at John Glenn International Airport in 2018 while trying to travel to Afghanistan to join ISIS Wilayat Khorasan (ISIS-K) has pleaded guilty in federal court.
Naser Almadaoji, 22, of Beavercreek, is an Iraqi-born United States citizen. He was scheduled to start jury trial Monday.
Almadaoji pleaded guilty Friday evening to one count of attempting to provide material support – himself, as personnel – to foreign terrorist organizations, namely ISIS and ISIS-K.
"This is now the second person from the Dayton area held accountable in recent times for trying to join ISIS," said Acting U.S. Attorney Vipal J. Patel. "Whatever grievances might exist with our government, our country, or our way of life, violence is not the answer."
According to court documents, Almadaoji purchased a plane ticket for travel on Oct. 24, 2018, and was arrested after checking in and obtaining his boarding pass.
Almadaoji intended to travel to Astana, Kazakhstan, where he planned to be smuggled into Afghanistan so that he could join and receive military training from ISIS-K in support of both that terrorist group and ISIS, those documents state.
Federal officials say Almadaoji explained to an individual whom he believed to be an ISIS supporter that he wanted "weapons-experts training, planning and executing, hit-and-run, capturing high-value targets, ways to break into homes and avoid security guards. That type of training." He began making travel plans in September 2018.
Prior to that, between Feb. 16 and 24, 2018, Almadaoji traveled to Egypt and Jordan for the purpose of joining ISIS's affiliate in the Sinai Peninsula, ISIS Wilayat Sinai, another designated foreign terrorist organization, but he ultimately was unsuccessful.
Attempting to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
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