MAN GETS SENT TO PRISON FOR 12 YEARS RELATED TO ATTEMPT TO JOIN ISIL

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

California Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Attempting to Join ISIL

Nicholas Michael Teausant, 22, of Acampo, California, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez of the Eastern District of California to 12 years in prison for attempting to provide material support to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization, announced Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin and Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert of the Eastern District of California.

According to court documents, on March 17, 2014, Teausant was arrested traveling to Canada, near the border, with the intent of continuing to travel to Syria to join ISIL.  On March 26, 2014, Teausant was indicted on one count of attempting to provide material support or resources to a terrorist organization.  He pleaded guilty to the single count in the indictment without a plea agreement.  In addition to the prison term, Judge Mendez also sentenced Teausant to 25 years of supervised release.

“With this sentence, Nicholas Michael Teausant will be held accountable for attempting to travel overseas to join ISIL and to provide material support to the designated terrorist organization,” said Assistant Attorney General Carlin.  “The National Security Division’s highest priority is countering terrorist threats, and we will continue to work to stem the flow of foreign fighters abroad and bring to justice those who attempt to provide material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations.”

“Mr. Teausant was fixated on violence as documented by his social media posts, his pre-arrest statements, and the nature of the group he attempted to join,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Talbert.  “His conduct was misguided and unacceptable.  We appreciate the court’s thoughtful consideration of this case and its recognition of the seriousness of the offense.  With the assistance of our investigative partners, we will continue to vigorously prosecute those who seek to provide material support to terrorist organizations.”

This case was the result of an investigation by the FBI; the Modesto, California, Police Department; and the San Joaquin, California, Sheriff’s Office, who are members of the Modesto/Stockton Joint Terrorism Task Force, with significant assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jean M. Hobler and Jason Hitt of the Eastern District of California and Trial Attorney Andrew Sigler of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIER PLEADS GUILTY TO ATTEMPTING TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO ISIL

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Monday, December 14, 2015

U.S. Army National Guard Soldier Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIL

A soldier in the U.S. Army National Guard pleaded guilty today to federal charges that he conspired with his cousin to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization in the Middle East.

Hasan R. Edmonds, 23, of Aurora, Illinois, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to provide material support to ISIL, a designated foreign terrorist organization, and one count of attempting to provide material support to ISIL.

The charge was announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin, U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Fardon of the Northern District of Illinois and Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Anderson of the FBI’s Chicago Division.

“Hasan and Jonas Edmonds conspired to provide material support to ISIL,” said Assistant Attorney General Carlin.  “They admitted planning to wage violence on behalf of ISIL in the Middle East and to conduct an attack on our soil.  Thanks to the efforts of many prosecutors, agents and analysts, we were able to ensure these plotters did not attain their violent endgames, and with these guilty pleas, they will be held accountable.  Counterterrorism remains the department’s highest priority, and we will continue use all available tools to combat ISIL, a foreign terrorist organization that rapes, murders and enslaves Muslims and non-Muslims alike.”

“The top priority of federal law enforcement is to protect the safety of our citizens, both here and abroad,” said U.S. Attorney Fardon.  “We will vigorously investigate and prosecute those who align themselves with ISIL and its mission of brutal violence.”

According to the plea agreement, Hasan Edmonds and his cousin, Jonas M. Edmonds, devised a plan for Hasan Edmonds to travel to the Middle East for the purpose of waging violence on behalf of ISIL.  Hasan Edmonds admitted that on March 25, 2015, Jonas Edmonds drove Hasan Edmonds to Midway International Airport in Chicago so that he could board a flight to the Middle East.  According to the plea agreement, after dropping off Hasan Edmonds, Jonas Edmonds went to Hasan Edmonds’ residence and retrieved several of Hasan Edmonds’ National Guard uniforms, which Jonas Edmonds planned to wear as a disguise during a planned attack at the National Guard base in Joliet, Illinois.

Hasan Edmonds is a member of the Army National Guard and had trained at the Joliet installation.

Law enforcement agents on the FBI’s Chicago Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested Hasan Edmonds at Midway Airport before he could board his flight.  Shortly thereafter the agents arrested Jonas Edmonds at his home.  The cousins are citizens of the United States.

The charges against Hasan Edmonds carry a combined maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and $500,000 fine.  U.S. District Judge John Z. Lee of the Northern District of Illinois scheduled a sentencing hearing for March 18, 2016.

Jonas Edmonds, 30, of Aurora, pleaded guilty last week to one count of conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and one count of making a materially false statement to a law enforcement officer regarding an offense involving international terrorism.  He faces a maximum sentence of 23 years in prison when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge John Z. Lee on Jan. 27, 2016, at 2:00 p.m.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Chicago Joint Terrorism Task Force.  U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Illinois State Police, the Aurora Police Department and the Illinois National Guard provided significant assistance in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barry Jonas and John Kness of the Northern District of Illinois; and Trial Attorney Lolita Lukose of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.