Three men, including a former U.S. Navy sailor, are facing federal terrorism charges after investigators say they conspired to support ISIS, raised money they believed would be used in attacks against American troops, and openly discussed violent acts targeting U.S. service members.
The arrests, announced by the Justice Department, stem from what prosecutors describe as a months-long conspiracy involving online communications, financial transfers, and expressions of allegiance to the Islamic State terror group.
According to a federal criminal complaint filed in Kansas, Bisaam Ghafoor, 21, of Leawood, Kansas; Elias Shamsaldeen, 21, of Porterville, California; and Bereen Dzayee, 25, of Lakeside, California, collectively sent more than $2,000 to an individual they believed was an ISIS member.
Federal authorities say the money was intended to help purchase weapons and support attacks against American military personnel overseas.
“This administration has put terrorists, cartels, and gangs on notice,” Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said in announcing the charges.
“Today’s arrest of three individuals who allegedly conspired to provide material support to ISIS makes clear our commitment to taking down terrorist networks—anywhere. Thanks to the vigilance of the FBI, their alleged scheme was dismantled and further acts of violence against U.S. service members were prevented.”
One of the defendants, Dzayee, previously served in the U.S. Navy from 2021 through 2024. Navy records show he was deployed aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain during his military service.
Prosecutors allege that from February 2025 through June 2026, the three men communicated through Discord, voice chats, and other online platforms to coordinate support for ISIS, discuss attacks against American forces, and pledge loyalty to the terrorist organization.
According to court documents, the FBI first identified the group through social media activity that allegedly promoted ISIS propaganda and extremist ideology.
The complaint details a series of disturbing conversations among the suspects.
Authorities allege that Shamsaldeen contributed money toward drones that he believed would be used to kill American service members overseas. Prosecutors further claim that Ghafoor expressed enthusiasm about those plans and said it would be “sick” if his name were written on a drone used in an attack.
In another allegation outlined in the complaint, prosecutors say Ghafoor stated that he had always wanted to kill a female soldier by beheading. He also allegedly declared, “I wish I could kill 300,000,000 Americans.”
Shamsaldeen allegedly made similarly violent statements. According to investigators, he expressed a desire to stab an American service member and claimed his mother had encouraged her children to grow up and kill Americans.
Court documents also allege that Shamsaldeen described playing violent video games while imagining he was participating in actual terrorist operations.
The allegations against Dzayee have drawn particular attention because of his prior military service.
Prosecutors say the former sailor suggested targeting elite American military units, including Green Berets and Special Forces personnel. Investigators also allege that he proposed disguising transfers to ISIS as charitable donations in order to avoid attracting attention from financial institutions and law enforcement.
Authorities further claim the suspects attempted to move money through cryptocurrency channels, including the use of a crypto ATM. Some of those transactions reportedly failed, but prosecutors say the group continued searching for ways to provide support.
Federal officials emphasized that the investigation disrupted what the suspects believed was direct support for ISIS operations. The complaint alleges that Ghafoor’s name was ultimately written onto the projectile of a rocket-propelled grenade intended for an overseas attack, though authorities have not indicated that any attack was successfully carried out.
The case highlights continuing concerns among counterterrorism officials about online radicalization and the ability of extremist groups to recruit supporters through digital platforms. While ISIS no longer controls the vast territory it once held in the Middle East, federal agencies continue monitoring individuals accused of providing financial support, propaganda assistance, or operational aid to the organization.
The three defendants now face federal charges related to providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, they could face lengthy prison sentences.
