Bilal Abood, Making False Statements, Texas 2015

Grimy Times Exclusive: Bilal Abood Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison

A 38-year-old Iraqi-Born U.S. Citizen, Bilal Abood of Mesquite, Texas, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for making false statements to a federal agency.

A U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade handed down the sentence in the Northern District of Texas. The sentence was announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin, U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas, and Special Agent in Charge Thomas M. Class Sr. of the FBI’s Dallas Division.

‘My office’s highest priority is and will remain the security of our homeland and the safety of all Americans,’ said U.S. Attorney Parker. ‘We remain more committed than ever to aggressively fighting all terrorism-related acts in north Texas. We appreciate the outstanding work by the Dallas FBI and the assistance of the department’s National Security Division during this investigation and prosecution.’

‘It remains among the highest priorities of the FBI to identify individuals who seek to join the ranks of foreign fighters traveling in support of ISIL,’ said Special Agent in Charge Class. ‘Bilal Abood lied to the FBI about the true purpose of his travel to Syria and his allegiance to ISIL, and now he will face the consequences.’

Bilal Abood, 38, of Mesquite, Texas, was arrested by the FBI in May 2015 and has been in federal custody since then. He pleaded guilty in October 2015 to a one-count superseding indictment.

Abood admitted that on March 29, 2013, he attempted to depart the United States at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, but was not allowed to board the international flight. While at the airport, FBI special agents asked Abood about his planned travel and he stated he was merely planning to travel to Iraq to visit family. During a subsequent interview, Abood admitted to FBI special agents that his intent was to travel to Syria to fight the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

On approximately April 29, 2013, Abood left the United States through Mexico and traveled through various countries into Syria. On Sept. 16, 2013, Abood returned to the United States and admitted to FBI special agents that he had traveled to Syria, but he denied supporting any terrorist groups.

A search warrant was executed on Abood’s computer on July 9, 2014. A review of that computer revealed that on approximately June 19, 2014, Abood stated, while using his Twitter handle @ibnalislaam, ‘I pledge obedience to the Caliphate Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.’ Abood admitted that he knew that al-Baghdadi is the self-proclaimed leader of ISIL and was designated as a specially designated global terrorist on Oct. 4, 2011, and remains so to date.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/iraqi-born-us-citizen-sentenced-48-months-prison-making-false-statements-fbi