Mufid Elfgeeh, Attempted Terrorism Support, New York 2015

Rochester Man Sentenced for Attempting to Recruit Fighters for ISIL

In a major blow to terrorist recruitment efforts, Mufid Elfgeeh, 32, of Rochester, NY, has been sentenced to 270 months in prison and 27 years supervised release for attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

According to court documents, from December 2013 through May 31, 2014, Elfgeeh actively recruited and attempted to send two individuals – both of whom were cooperating with the FBI at the time – to Syria to join and fight on behalf of ISIL.

Elfgeeh sent anti-American ISIL propaganda videos to one of the individuals and arranged for an English-speaking ISIL contact located in Iraq to communicate with that person over Facebook. In addition, Elfgeeh paid more than $240 for that individual to obtain a copy of his birth certificate, passport photographs and an expedited passport. Elfgeeh also purchased a laptop computer and a high-definition action camera for both individuals to take to Syria.

The defendant further provided guidance to them about traveling so that they could avoid detection and be prepared for the vetting process involved in joining ISIL. In May 2014, Elfgeeh arranged for an overseas contact to coordinate the logistics of the trip and the admission of both individuals into ISIL-controlled territory in Syria.

According to court documents, Elfgeeh also sent $600 to a third individual in Aden, Yemen, in an effort to assist that individual in traveling from Yemen to Syria for the purpose of joining and fighting on behalf of ISIL.

Mufid Elfgeeh, 32, of Rochester, NY, was convicted of attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization. The charges against him include attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

The case was announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin, U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr., and Special Agent in Charge Adam S. Cohen of the FBI’s Buffalo Division.

The sentencing was held on an exact date not specified in the source. Mufid Elfgeeh will serve 270 months in prison and 27 years supervised release. The total amount paid by Elfgeeh for the individuals to obtain their documents and equipment is more than $840.

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