Moad Mohamed Benkabbou, Lying to FBI, Florida 2023

An Orlando man has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for lying to the FBI in connection with an international terrorism investigation.

Moad Mohamed Benkabbou, 23, of Kissimmee, Florida, was sentenced on January 1, 2023 by U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton for making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in an interview relating to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Benkabbou had pleaded guilty on May 5, 2023 to the charges. According to his plea agreement and evidence previously admitted during a hearing, Benkabbou swore an oath to support ISIS in January 2020, made plans to travel to Turkey and Syria to fight for ISIS, sent money to support ISIS, purchased airplane tickets in August 2020 and January 2021 (later cancelled both tickets), and sent ISIS propaganda videos to others, including ISIS sponsored videos showing the executions (by gunshot and beheading) of American allies fighting against ISIS.

Benkabbou also sent a photo of himself dressed as an ISIS fighter with the statement, “Hey Crusaders hey Jews die within your rage.” When interviewed on two occasions by the FBI in relation to these activities, Benkabbou lied about his involvement with and support of ISIS.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Shawn P. Napier and Kara M. Wick.

Benkabbou’s sentence of six years in federal prison is a result of his actions, which compromised national security and posed a threat to the safety of Americans.

As the investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work together to identify and bring to justice individuals who support or attempt to join designated terrorist organizations.