Daniel Seth Franey, 34, of Montesano, Washington, is headed to federal prison for six years after being caught plotting attacks on police and U.S. military personnel while stockpiling illegal firearms in the name of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The self-styled jihadist, who also went by the name Abu Dawuud, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, where Judge Ronald B. Leighton called the threats “persistent” and the defendant a continuing danger to law enforcement and the public.
Franey’s descent into violent extremism came to light following multiple citizen reports that he was openly preaching jihadist ideology and advocating for the killing of non-Muslim Americans. Authorities say he didn’t just talk—he moved toward action. Between September and November 2015, Franey handled multiple firearms, including firing fully automatic machine guns, despite knowing he was legally barred from possessing any weapons due to a permanent protection order.
The investigation intensified when a person Franey believed was a willing arms dealer turned out to be an undercover federal agent. Wearing a wire, the officer recorded Franey repeatedly attempting to purchase AK-47s and discussing ideal targets for an attack. Throughout the conversations, Franey invoked his allegiance to ISIL and expressed a specific desire to harm uniformed officers and soldiers, making it clear his rhetoric was rooted in violent intent.
U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes made no apologies for the severity of the sentence. “This defendant espoused his jihadist ideology and talked about his desire to kill police and military officers with nearly everyone he met,” Hayes said. “His talk turned to action when he tried repeatedly to obtain high powered weapons and ammunition, and identified a target for his attack. This sentence will protect the public from this defendant who remains dangerous.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg with support from the Justice Department’s National Security Division. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force led the investigation, uniting federal, state, and local agencies including the Seattle Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, Federal Protective Service, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Army’s 902nd Military Intelligence Group. Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Department also played a critical role in tracking Franey’s activities.
Franey’s conviction underscores the ongoing threat of homegrown violent extremism and the federal government’s commitment to act on early warning signs. Though no shots were fired in this case, authorities stress that access to weapons, combined with intent and ideological radicalization, is enough to trigger serious consequences. For Daniel Seth Franey, that price is six years behind bars—and a lifetime of scrutiny.
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- James Roosevelt Leach Gets 7 Years for Stolen Gun · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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