NEW YORK
A New York man was arrested for trying to provide support to ISIS including the killing of men, women and children for the terrorist group, officials said today.
Authorities arrested Arafat M. Nagi, 42, of Lackawanna, New York, who pledged allegiance to ISIS and the leader of the terrorist group, Abu Bakr al Bagdadi, say authorities.
“Our continuing fight against international terrorism today returns to Western New York,” said U.S. Attorney William Hochul. “As alleged, Arafat Nagi pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and the leader of this terrorist organization. After buying military combat gear, he traveled twice to Turkey in an effort to help the group. Thanks to the combined efforts of law enforcement and community members, this defendant is no longer capable of achieving his goal of joining the most despicable group of our time.”
Nagi will make his initial court appearance today, according to federal officials.
Here is the information that officials are alleging:
- The defendant traveled to Turkey on two occasions, in October 2012 and July 2014, with the intent to meet with members of the group.
- Evidence indicated that Nagi purchased a large number of military combat items, including a tactical vest, army combat shirt, body armor, a Shahada Flag, combat boots, a backpack, burn kit, hunting knife, machete and night vision goggle.
- The criminal complaint alleges that on Aug. 28, 2014, a Lackawanna community member advised the FBI that Nagi talks about violent jihad to various people in the community, and it is common for Nagi to get into verbal arguments regarding his jihadi beliefs.
- During follow up interviews in December 2014 and March 2015, the community member who alerted the FBI stated that the defendant still possessed radical political and religious views.
- According to the community member, Nagi was angry about the killing of rebels in Yemen, which he blamed on the U.S and expressed agreement with ISIS tactics, including the killing of innocent men, women and children; and planned to travel to Yemen and Turkey again soon.
Nagi is presumed innocent until proven guilty.