Minnesota Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Join ISIS
A 23-year-old Minnesota man has pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State (ISIS) after making two failed attempts to travel to Somalia to join the extremist group.
Abdisatar Ahmed Hassan entered the plea on Monday before U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank in St. Paul. He faces up to 15 years in prison, though a plea agreement could result in a shorter sentence. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to prosecutors, Hassan openly voiced support for ISIS online, praising violent attacks such as the Jan. 1 truck assault on Bourbon Street in New Orleans that killed 14 people. Court records show that in December, Hassan tried to fly from Minnesota to Somalia twice but was stopped by authorities each time. He was later spotted driving with an ISIS flag before his arrest in February.
“Hassan flew the ISIS flag, venerated attacks on the homeland, and wanted to kill Americans,” Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said. “We are not taking chances. We will not let Minnesota become a safe haven for terrorists.”
The FBI launched its investigation after receiving a tip about a social media user supporting ISIS and al-Shabab. Hassan, a naturalized U.S. citizen, remains in custody.
This case highlights an ongoing challenge for Minnesota, where several young men have previously attempted to join ISIS. In 2016, nine were sentenced on conspiracy charges, and in 2024, another Minnesotan who fought with ISIS in Iraq was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Important reminder that vigilance is key.
ReplyDeleteAuthorities are keeping communities safe and stopping extremists before they can act. Every tip and investigation counts.