In Stockton, California, a man has been arrested for attempting to support the Islamic State. Ammaad Akhtar, 33, reached out to someone he believed was an ISIS member in February 2025. However, that person was actually an undercover federal agent.
During their conversations, Akhtar expressed his desire to travel abroad to fight for ISIS. He even sent money to the agent, thinking it would help fund the group. When the agent claimed that the money was used to buy weapons for ISIS, Akhtar responded with a chilling message, saying, “may Allah destroy our enemies.”
Prosecutors allege that Akhtar also discussed plans to carry out an attack himself. He expressed a wish to “die in the cause of Allah fighting the kuffar,” which translates to fighting against non-believers. Additionally, he sought instructions on creating an explosive device to use at a public event.
Things escalated when Akhtar met the undercover agent in person. During this meeting, he handed over items including clothing, binoculars, $400 in cash, two loaded guns, and six magazines. He also pledged his loyalty to the Islamic State.
Following this meeting, Akhtar was arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about domestic terrorism and the recruitment efforts of groups like ISIS. Authorities continue to monitor individuals who show interest in extremist ideologies, aiming to prevent potential attacks before they happen.