Amir Said Rahman Al-Ghazi, 39, has pleaded guilty to supporting the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) and attempting to recruit others to the jihadist group.
Authorities arrested Al-Ghazi, from Sheffield Lake, Ohio, last June after he pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and purchased an AK-47 from an undercover agent.
Amir Said Rahman Al-Ghazi, 39, of Sheffield Lake, pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and two counts of being a felon in possession of firearms, prosecutors said.
Al-Ghazi, who changed his name form [sic] Robert McCullom last year, faces 16 years in prison under a plea agreement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio said.
13 ABC reports that between July 2014 and June 2015, he “made multiple statements trying to persuade others to join the Islamic State.” He also attempted to purchase an AK-47 to use as part of ISIS propaganda videos.
His pro-Islamic State posts on social media garnered FBI attention in 2014.
“Today’s charges are a stark reminder that the radical and dangerous philosophies espoused by groups such as ISIL can be spread in our community through computers and social media,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Dettelbach last June.
Al-Ghazi’s hearing will take place Wednesday.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.