Jason Michael Ludke, a Milwaukee man, has been convicted of conspiring to provide material support to ISIS. According to a plea agreement, Ludke and a co-conspirator planned to travel through Mexico to Syria and Iraq to join the terrorist organization. Ludke recorded a video pledging his allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and stated that he was ready to join the group.
Ludke told an FBI undercover employee that he had training in jiu-jitsu and computers, which he believed would benefit ISIS. On October 5, 2016, Ludke and his co-conspirator were traveling to the Texas/Mexico border when law enforcement arrested them. The duo was attempting to join ISIS in Syria or Iraq.
Ludke has prior convictions for child sexual assault and making death threats against a federal judge. At the time of his arrest, Ludke was on probation and had cut off his ankle tracking device before leaving Wisconsin.
Ludke faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a maximum term of supervised release of life, and a maximum fine of $250,000. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Paul Kanter and Benjamin Taibleson, and Trial Attorney Jolie F. Zimmerman of the Counterterrorism Section.
“This conviction demonstrates the United States’ resolute commitment to protecting our country and combatting foreign terrorism,” said United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger. “Individuals like Ludke who seek to provide material support to ISIS will be held accountable.”
“The FBI’s number one priority is protecting Americans from terrorism,” said Special Agent-in-Charge R. Justin Tolomeo. “I commend our Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), which includes our local, state and federal partners, for their investigative efforts in identifying and arresting Jason Ludke that prevented him from joining the ISIS terror group.”
Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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