Pennsylvania teenager Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz was arrested on providing material support to ISIS and conspiracy charges on Thursday. The 19-year-old is accused of advocating for terror attacks against the United States and using approximately 60 different Twitter accounts to advance his radical Islamic ideology cause.
Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz has also been accused of aiding ISIS recruits who are attempting to join the Islamic State on the battlefield in Syria. When the home of the Pennsylvania teen was raided, federal agents found a knife, survival equipment, a “tactical style” backpack, and ammunition magazines — all of which are legal to own in bulk. The gear found did not result in any additional charges being levied, as such items are fairly commonplace in many homes across America. The search of the home lasted more than four hours, according to comments to the media by neighbors.
Federal court docs say 19-yo Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz from #HBG helped ISIS by spreading hateful rhetoric. @CBS21NEWS pic.twitter.com/XB3l0B8VHk
— Michael Gorsegner (@MikeGorsegner) December 18, 2015
“The charges in this case focus on Aziz’s efforts to assist persons seeking to travel to and fight for the Islamic State,” U.S. Attorney Peter Smith said.
Legal filings in the case alleged that the teenager accused of providing material support to ISIS also served as a go-between for an individual in Turkey and multiple “well-known” Islamic State members. ISIS in America has become a major topic of debate among the men and women running for president. The arrest of the 19-year-old who is allegedly engaged in the planning of terror attacks in the United States will likely fuel more heated moments at the microphone as the Democrats and GOP hopefuls describe their plans to defeat the Islamic State.
The Pennsylvania teenager, a United States citizen, posted jihadi desires on Twitter and shared a link that contained the names and other identifying information of about 100 members of the military. Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz allegedly urged others to single out and target United States soldiers for violent attacks, MSN reports. Aziz also reportedly stated that he wanted to behead President Barack Obama.
FBI agents seen carrying boxes from home of Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz, 19, charged in aiding ISIS terrorist group pic.twitter.com/ZmdwvhHO00
— Megan Trimble (@MeganRegina) December 17, 2015
The preliminary hearing for Aziz was set on December 23, according to a Penn Live report.
“[The case] involves an array of complexities for counsel, international in scope. Counsel should have time to prepare,” Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson said when setting the hearing date.
Aziz was living at a home on Fulton Street in Harrisburg. The home is located in what is known as the Capitol Heights neighborhood and is a middle-class are in midtown. Neighbors who spoke to reporters but asked that their identities not be shared out of fear of retribution said that the couple who lived at the residence were quiet and polite but largely kept to themselves. Most of the neighbors did not realize that the couple may have had a teenager son.
One neighbor added that a car had not been noticed at the home in weeks, and he did not know that anyone was still living inside the residence. Shortly after the FBI raid of the Pennsylvania teenager, two handwritten notes appeared on the door alerting the media that no trespassing was allowed and that “no comment” would be made about Aziz.
Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz threatens to behead Barack Obama – Daily Mail https://t.co/5Lt1ua11np via #hng #news pic.twitter.com/Mymro8o6Wm
— Trip Trundle (@TripTrundle) December 18, 2015
If convicted of the terrorism charges levied against him, Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz could face up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of probation after his release.
What do you think about the Pennsylvania teen arrested for providing material support to ISIS? How would you like for the next president to respond to the ongoing terror threat posed by the Islamic State?
[Image via Shutterstock.com]
