FORT WORTH, TX – A Fort Worth teen is facing up to two decades behind bars after admitting he actively conspired to provide material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based terrorist organization. Michael Kyle Sewell, 18, formally pleaded guilty Wednesday to the federal terrorism charge, a revelation announced by U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox and Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers.
The case, built by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, reveals a disturbing attempt to funnel a recruit to the ranks of LeT. Court documents detail how Sewell, arrested in February, used social media to connect with an individual – identified as “coconspirator 1” – and actively encouraged them to join the terrorist group. Sewell wasn’t just offering moral support; he provided direct contact information, believing it would facilitate travel to Pakistan for the purpose of joining LeT.
What Sewell didn’t know was that the “facilitator” he contacted was an undercover FBI agent. The investigation quickly revealed a chilling level of coordination. Sewell and the coconspirator meticulously discussed what to tell the agent to gain their trust and secure passage to join LeT. Sewell went a step further, directly vouching for the coconspirator’s authenticity to the undercover agent, solidifying his role in the plot.
This isn’t a case of idle chatter or online posturing. Sewell’s actions demonstrated a clear intent to actively support a designated foreign terrorist organization. The FBI and its task force partners – including the Arlington, Fort Worth, and Tarrant County police departments, as well as federal agencies like Homeland Security Investigations and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service – moved swiftly to dismantle the budding operation.
Now, Sewell faces a harsh reckoning. He is looking at a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, along with a potential fine of up to $250,000. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Weimer skillfully prosecuted the case, building a solid legal foundation for the guilty plea. Sentencing is scheduled for August 12 in Fort Worth, where a federal judge will determine the extent of Sewell’s punishment.
This case serves as a stark reminder that the threat of radicalization and terrorist recruitment is present even within our own communities. Law enforcement agencies remain vigilant in identifying and disrupting these plots before they can come to fruition, protecting national security and the safety of citizens. The full details of the investigation and Sewell’s involvement are expected to be further revealed during the sentencing hearing.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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