HOUSTON, Texas – A local man has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a known foreign terrorist organization, according to court documents.
Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan, 24, a Palestinian born in Iraq, has been charged in a three-count indictment alleging that he attempted to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
The indictment alleges that Al Hardan attempted to provide material support and resources, including training, expert advice and assistance, and personnel – specifically himself – to a known foreign terrorist organization. According to the allegations, he also knowingly responded, certified and swore untruthfully on his formal application when applying to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Al Hardan entered the United States as an Iraqi refugee on or about Nov. 2, 2009. He was granted legal permanent residence status on or about Aug. 22, 2011, and resides in Houston.
The charge of attempting to provide material support to terrorists carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. The charge of false citizenship procurement carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison (if the offense was committed to facilitate an act of international terrorism). The charge of making false statements carries a maximum sentence of eight years in prison.
The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and HSI with the assistance of the Houston Police Department.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan, 24, is charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIL, procurement of citizenship or naturalization unlawfully and making false statements.
The indictment was returned Jan. 6, 2016 and unsealed tonight. Al Hardan will have his initial appearance tomorrow at 10:00 a.m CST in Houston before U.S. Magistrate Judge John R. Froeschner.
Related Federal Cases
- Jason Michael Ludke, Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL, Wisconsin 2018 · Texas
- Abdul Malik Abdul Kareem, Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISIL, Arizona 2016 · Florida
- Devonte Okeith Mathis, Marijuana Trafficking and Aiding Gun Use, Texas 2021 · Illinois
- Roberto Minuta, Seditious Conspiracy and Obstruction of Official Proceeding, Texas 2021 · Florida
- Devonte Okeith Mathis, Marijuana Conspiracy, Texas 2021 · Florida
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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