Aaron Travis Daniels, 20, aka Harun Muhammad, aka Abu Yusef, of Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, in violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 2339B.
The arrest of Daniels, a native of Columbus, was made by the Southern Ohio Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) on November 7, 2016, as he attempted to leave Columbus with the intent to join ISIS in Libya.
Daniels has been in custody since his arrest and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The Columbus JTTF is a collaborative effort between the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Columbus Division of Police, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, The Ohio State University Police Department, the Ohio Investigative Unit, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, the John Glenn International Airport Police Department, Westerville Police Department, and Columbus Division of Fire.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica W. Knight and Jessica Kim, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Gibson of the Southern District of Ohio, and Trial Attorney Michael Dittoe of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Dana J. Boente stated that Daniels admitted to attempting to travel abroad to provide material support to ISIS, highlighting the importance of identifying and holding accountable individuals who attempt to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations.
U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman added that this case demonstrates how terrorist activities abroad can reach into our local communities, emphasizing the need for continued cooperation between law enforcement agencies to protect national security.
Daniels’s plea was entered before Chief U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus Jr. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. If convicted of any offense, the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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