Three men have been charged with conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State (ISIS), according to federal authorities. The suspects, including a U.S. Navy veteran, allegedly plotted violence against American military personnel. The men are identified as Bisaam Ghafoor, 21, from Leawood, Kansas; Elias Shamsaldeen, 21, from Porterville, California; and Bereen Dzayee, 25, from Lakeside, California. They were arrested after sending over $2,000 to someone they believed was affiliated with ISIS, as stated in a federal criminal complaint filed in Kansas.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche commented on the arrests, emphasizing the administration's commitment to dismantling terrorist networks. Dzayee served in the Navy from 2021 to 2024 and was deployed aboard the USS John S. McCain. The three men allegedly coordinated their support for ISIS through various communication platforms, pledging allegiance to the group and discussing potential attacks against U.S. military personnel.
The FBI identified the suspects through social media posts promoting ISIS. The complaint indicates that the suspects believed their funds were intended for advanced weaponry, including drones for attacks on American service members. Allegations include Ghafoor expressing a desire to kill a female soldier and Shamsaldeen discussing violent fantasies related to American service members. The suspects also attempted to disguise their financial transactions as donations or charity and explored using a cryptocurrency ATM for fund transfers, which ultimately failed.