Related Federal Cases
ISIL Suspect Indicted for Material Support
Baltimore, MD – Mohamed Elshinawy, a 30-year-old man from Edgewood, Maryland, has been indicted on charges of conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
According to the indictment, Elshinawy conspired with others to provide material support and resources, including personnel, services, and financial services, to ISIL from February 2015 through December 11, 2015.
Elshinawy allegedly used various methods of surreptitious and other forms of communication to conceal his criminal association and activities from law enforcement. He and his co-conspirators, including an Egyptian national and childhood friend, recruited and sought to recruit others to join ISIL and further its cause of violent jihad.
The indictment alleges that Elshinawy and his co-conspirator provided themselves as personnel to assist ISIL and discussed obtaining or making an explosive device and possible targets. Elshinawy also directed his brother to take steps to conceal their communications regarding ISIL.
To conceal his illegal activities, Elshinawy purchased a cell phone, which he registered under a fake name and address, to communicate securely with ISIL operatives. He also removed the name of an ISIL sympathizer from his list of friends on his social media account and blocked his co-conspirator’s access to that same account.
Elshinawy received money from overseas through transfers of funds by a company headquartered overseas into his online financial account, wire transfers that he used to purchase a vehicle and other items. The indictment alleges that Elshinawy lied to the FBI about his support for ISIL and his steps to provide material support to the terrorist organization.
“This case demonstrates how terrorists exploit modern technology to inculcate sympathizers and build hidden networks, but federal agents and prosecutors are working tirelessly and using every available lawful tool to disrupt their evil schemes,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “When confronted by the FBI, he lied in order to conceal his support for ISIL and the steps he took to provide material support to the deadly foreign terrorist organization.”
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin added, “This indictment is the next step in holding Elshinawy accountable. The National Security Division remains committed to protecting the nation from terrorist threats, and we will continue to pursue and disrupt those who seek to provide material support to ISIL.”
Elshinawy faces four counts, including conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, providing and attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, terrorism financing, and making false statements in connection with a terrorism matter.
Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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