U.S. Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Weapons and Financial Support to ISIS

Washington, D.C. (Terror Monitor) — A 34-year-old California man has pleaded guilty to attempting to provide financial assistance, firearms and other material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, the U.S. Department of Justice announced on Friday.

Ammaad Akhtar, a U.S. citizen from Stockton, California, pleaded guilty on October 30, 2026, to attempting to provide material support to ISIS following a federal investigation involving undercover law enforcement officers.

According to court documents, between February and June 2025, Akhtar communicated online with an undercover law enforcement officer whom he believed was a member of ISIS. During their conversations, he expressed support for the terrorist organization and jihad, discussed his desire to travel overseas to join and fight alongside ISIS members, and offered to provide the group with firearms, money and other equipment.

Financial Support and Firearms for ISIS

Federal prosecutors said that in April 2025, Akhtar provided financial assistance to ISIS on multiple occasions through the undercover operation.

After receiving several payments, the undercover officer told Akhtar that the money he had transferred had been used to procure several firearms for ISIS.

In response, Akhtar reportedly said, "May Allah destroy our enemies," and promised to send additional money later that same day.

According to prosecutors, Akhtar continued expressing his willingness to support the organization financially and provide it with weapons and other resources.

Discussed Attacks and Homemade Explosives

Court documents also revealed that Akhtar discussed plans to carry out acts of violence, including an attack against a specific individual and an attack involving homemade explosives.

During his online communications, he reportedly expressed a desire to die while fighting those he described as infidels and asked the undercover officer for instructions on constructing a homemade explosive device.

Prosecutors said he wanted to use such a device to carry out an explosion at a populated public event.

The court documents described these conversations as part of Akhtar's efforts to demonstrate his commitment to ISIS and his willingness to participate in terrorist violence.

Handed Over Two Loaded Firearms and $400

On June 23, 2025, Akhtar met in person with an individual he believed was an ISIS associate. The person was actually an undercover law enforcement agent.

During the meeting, Akhtar provided the agent with clothing, binoculars, $400 in cash, two loaded firearms and six additional ammunition magazines.

He also swore bayat, or an oath of allegiance, to ISIS during the encounter.

The meeting formed a key part of the investigation into his attempts to provide material support to the organization.

FBI and NYPD Conducted Investigation

The investigation was conducted by the FBI's field offices in New York and Sacramento, in coordination with the New York City Police Department (NYPD).

Federal prosecutors said the case involved an undercover operation that enabled investigators to document Akhtar's online communications, financial transfers and in-person delivery of weapons and equipment.

The investigation ultimately led to federal charges against Akhtar in June 2025. He has now admitted guilt to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Faces Up to 20 Years in Federal Prison

Akhtar is scheduled to be sentenced on February 26, 2027, before U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins.

He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

However, the actual sentence will be determined by the federal district court after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other applicable statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliot Wong and Charles Campbell of the Eastern District of California, along with Trial Attorney Ryan D. White of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section, are prosecuting the case.

The Department of Justice announced the guilty plea on October 30, 2026, describing the case as an attempted effort to provide financial resources, weapons and other material assistance to ISIS.