Jihad Seeker Patel Pleads Guilty to Passport Fraud

NORFOLK, Va. – In a chilling revelation of national security concern, 28-year-old Shivam Patel from Williamsburg has pleaded guilty to passport fraud and making false statements in his application to join the United States military.

Patel’s journey into the realms of terrorism began in China during the summer of 2016 when he flew to Jordan, where he was arrested and detained. He is alleged to have told an undercover agent and a confidential source about his desire to join a ‘Muslim army’ for jihad. Upon returning to the United States, Patel applied to join both the Army and Air Force.

Despite being queried about his prior foreign travel in his applications, Patel failed to disclose his trips to China or Jordan. When required to show his passport to an Army recruiter, which would have revealed his travels, Patel instead filed for a new passport under false pretenses, claiming he had accidentally thrown away his old one. FBI special agents discovered this fraudulent passport when they arrested him in July 2017.

Today’s plea agreement marks the culmination of a meticulous investigation by federal authorities. Patel now faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison when sentenced on June 4. However, actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties, to be determined by a federal district court judge after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Acting U.S. Attorney Tracy Doherty-McCormick, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Edward C. O’Callaghan, and Martin Culbreth, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, announced Patel’s plea after it was accepted by U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence Leonard. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. Bosse and Trial Attorney Justin Sher are prosecuting this case.

For further information or related court documents, visitors can refer to the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia or search Case No. 2:17-cr-120 on PACER.