The Department of Justice indicted a New Mexico man, charging him with attempting to provide material support for ISIS.
Herman Leyvoune Wilson, aka Bilal Mu’Min Abdullah, 45, of Albuquerque, allegedly attempted to set up an "Islamic State Center" in New Mexico. The center was designed to "teach ISIS ideology, provide training in tactical maneuvers and martial arts, and serve as a safe haven for individuals preparing to travel and fight on behalf of ISIS in the United States and abroad," according to the DOJ.
The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated Wilson's case for months.
"The FBI takes very seriously its role as America's primary federal law enforcement agency for investigating and preventing acts of international and domestic terrorism," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda. "This investigation was the result of months of painstaking work by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists of FBI special agents, intelligence analysts, other experts, and our federal, state, and local partners. Preventing terrorist attacks against Americans at home and abroad remains the FBI's top priority, and we will vigorously pursue investigations when an individual crosses the line from espousing particular views into planning or committing acts of violence."
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The DOJ also charged Wilson with attempting to obstruct, influence and impede an official proceeding for allegedly shutting down an online platform to destroy and conceal records. Wilson allegedly used the platform to promote ISIS ideology and recruit others to join ISIS and come to the center he allegedly attempted to establish in New Mexico.
Two Texas men, Kristopher Matthews and Jaylin Molina, who have pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide material support to ISIS, said Wilson radicalized them and "that without Wilson’s influence, they would never have committed the crimes."
Wilson allegedly tried to cover up his and the online platform’s ties to Matthews and Molina when they were arrested.
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If Wilson is convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison for the charge of attempting to provide material support and 20 years for attempting to impede an official proceeding.