Ikaika Erik Kang, Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS, Hawaii 2018

Hawaii Soldier Attempts to Support ISIS, Faces Up to 20 Years in Prison

Honolulu, HI – In a shocking turn of events, an indictment was returned charging Ikaika Erik Kang, 34, an Army sergeant first class stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

According to the indictment, Kang met with undercover agents of the FBI whom he believed to be affiliated with ISIS and provided military information, some of which was classified at the SECRET level. Kang is also charged with providing property, including a drone, military clothing, and equipment, and training, including instruction on combat techniques and weapons training, to undercover agents whom he believed to be affiliated with ISIS.

The indictment and an earlier criminal complaint allege that these events occurred in Hawaii between June 21 and July 8. Kang was previously arrested on July 8 and ordered detained pending further proceedings.

Kang will appear in court on July 24 for an arraignment and plea on the charges, at which time a trial date will be scheduled. If convicted of the charges, Kang faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine for each count.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division. This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Taryn Meeks of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ken Sorenson and Marc Wallenstein.

The sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Dana J. Boente, Acting U.S. Attorney Elliot Enoki of the District of Hawaii, and Special Agent in Charge Paul Delacorte of the FBI’s Honolulu Field Office made the announcement.

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