MANHATTAN – Zachary Clark, a Brooklyn man who allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS and actively plotted attacks on New York City, pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court today to attempting to provide material support to the terror group. The case, a chilling reminder of the ever-present threat of homegrown extremism, culminated after a dogged investigation by the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).
According to court documents, Clark, also known as “Umar Kabir,” “Umar Shishani,” and “Abu Talha,” twice swore loyalty to ISIS leaders – first to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in July 2019, and again to Abu Ibrahim al-Sashemi al-Qurayshi in October 2019 following al-Baghdadi’s death. Beginning as early as March 2019, Clark allegedly used encrypted chatrooms to spread ISIS propaganda and, crucially, to call for “lone wolf” attacks within the five boroughs.
The details outlined by Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss are disturbing. Clark didn’t just spout rhetoric; he provided detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to carry out violent acts. This included guidance on target selection, pre-operational surveillance, attack planning, and methods to evade law enforcement. He even shared a manual titled “Knife Attacks,” chillingly dismissing any moral qualms about inflicting harm as “never an excuse for abandoning jihad.” The document specifically advocated for the use of readily available knives against “kuffar” – non-believers.
“As he admitted in court today, Zachary Clark pledged allegiance to ISIS and posted calls for attacks on the public and institutions in New York on encrypted pro-ISIS chatrooms,” Strauss stated. “He also posted detailed instructions for carrying out those violent acts. Thanks to the Joint Terrorism Task Force, Clark’s efforts to incite deadly violence on behalf of ISIS have been silenced, and he now awaits sentencing for his crimes.” Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers emphasized the ongoing vigilance required to combat terrorism, highlighting Clark’s specific instructions on both knifing and bomb-making.
The FBI’s Assistant Director-in-Charge, William F. Sweeney Jr., lauded the JTTF’s relentless work in preventing potential lone wolf attacks. “Today’s plea by Mr. Clark is yet one more example of the resolve of the FBI’s JTTF in New York, and our many law enforcement partners, to protect this city and our citizens from the danger of lone wolf attacks,” Sweeney said. NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea echoed this sentiment, noting that Clark’s actions underscore New York City’s continued vulnerability as a top terrorist target.
Zachary Clark is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald on February 9, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. While the specifics of his sentence remain to be determined, the guilty plea effectively ends Clark’s attempt to weaponize his extremist ideology. The case serves as a stark warning: the threat of radicalization and homegrown terrorism remains a clear and present danger, requiring constant and coordinated law enforcement efforts.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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