ISIL-Linked Hacker Pleads Guilty in Virginia

Ardit Ferizi, 20, a citizen of Kosovo, pleaded guilty today to charges of providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization, and accessing a protected computer without authorization and obtaining information.

Ferizi, who was detained by Malaysian authorities on a provisional arrest warrant on behalf of the United States, was charged by criminal complaint on October 6, 2015. The criminal complaint was unsealed on October 15, 2015. Ferizi subsequently waived extradition.

“Ferizi endangered the lives of over 1,000 Americans,” said Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Cyber terrorism has become an increasingly prevalent and serious threat here in America, both to individuals and businesses. However, cyber terrorist are no different from other terrorists: No matter where they hide, we will track them down and seek to bring them to the United States to face justice.”

“Ferizi admitted to stealing the personally identifiable information of over 1,000 U.S. servicemembers and federal employees, and providing it to ISIL with the understanding that they would incite terrorist attacks against those individuals,” said John Carlin, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. “The case against Ferizi is the first of its kind, representing the nexus of the terror and cyber threats. The National Security Division will continue to use an all-tools approach to combat this ever-evolving blended threat, and we will identify, disrupt and prosecute any individual who provides material support to ISIL, no matter how they do so.”

Ardit Ferizi faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison when sentenced on September 16. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. As part of the plea, Ferizi also agreed to a stipulated order of removal to Kosovo, his country of citizenship, upon completion of his criminal sentence.

Ardit Ferizi, 20, of Kosovo, was charged with providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and accessing a protected computer without authorization and obtaining information.

Defendant: Ardit Ferizi

Criminal Charges: Providing material support to ISIL, accessing a protected computer without authorization and obtaining information

City and State: Alexandria, Virginia

Exact Date: June 13, 2015

Sentence or Outcome: Faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison when sentenced on September 16

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