Ali Charaf Damache, Terrorist Conspiracy, Pennsylvania 2018

PHILADELPHIA – In a major victory for national security, a notorious Algerian terrorist has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for conspiring to provide material support and resources to terrorists. Ali Charaf Damache, also known as Theblackflag, was extradited from Spain in 2017 and pleaded guilty in July 2018.

A 53-year-old resident of Pennsylvania, Damache was indicted in 2011 on one count of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and one count of attempted identity theft to facilitate an act of international terrorism. His co-defendant, Mohammad Hassan Khalid, was also involved in the conspiracy.

Damache's terrorist cell, consisting of men and women from Europe and the United States, had a clear goal of waging violent jihad in and around Europe. Among those involved in the conspiracy were Jamie Paulin Ramirez, a resident of Colorado, and Colleen R. LaRose, a/k/a Fatima LaRose, a/k/a Jihad Jane, a resident of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

The investigation, which spanned more than nine years, involved multiple coordinated international arrests and two extradition applications. Authorities in Ireland, Spain, and the United States worked together to bring Damache to justice. The case was investigated by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force in New York and the FBI Field Divisions in Philadelphia, New York, Denver, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.

U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain praised the law enforcement efforts, stating, "This case is a prime example of the remarkable results we can accomplish when law enforcement – both foreign and domestic – work together to stop our enemies who intend to wage war on our way of life."

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers also commended the law enforcement community, saying, "At a time when radical terrorist groups use the Internet to recruit new members and coordinate attacks against innocent people, the National Security Division remains committed to investigating all possible threats to our country aggressively — including those that take place online."

The case is being prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah M. Wolfe of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Trial Attorneys Matthew F. Blue and C. Alexandria Bogle of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

Defendant: Ali Charaf Damache

Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, attempted identity theft to facilitate an act of international terrorism

City and State: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Date: July 2018

Sentence: 15 years in prison

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/algerian-terrorist-sentenced-15-years-imprisonment