WASHINGTON — A 34-year-old California man has pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State terrorist organization after federal investigators determined he supplied money, firearms and other equipment to individuals he believed were affiliated with ISIS.
Ammaad Akhtar, a U.S. citizen, admitted to attempting to support the terrorist organization between February and June 2025, according to federal court documents. The case involved an undercover operation in which Akhtar communicated online with a law enforcement officer posing as an ISIS member.
During those conversations, Akhtar expressed support for the organization, discussed traveling overseas to join its fighters and offered to send money and firearms to assist its operations.
Federal investigators said Akhtar made multiple payments in April 2025 to an individual he believed represented ISIS. After several transactions, the undercover officer told Akhtar that the organization had purchased firearms using the money he provided.
Akhtar responded, “May Allah destroy our enemies,” and indicated he intended to send additional funds that same day.
According to court documents, Akhtar also discussed committing acts of violence, including a potential attack targeting a specific individual and another involving homemade explosives. He requested instructions for constructing an explosive device that could be used at a crowded public event.
The undercover operation culminated June 23, 2025, when Akhtar met with an individual he believed was associated with ISIS. The individual was an undercover law enforcement agent. During the meeting, Akhtar provided clothing, binoculars, $400 in cash, two loaded firearms and six additional ammunition magazines.
He also pledged allegiance to ISIS during the encounter, according to court documents.
ISIS is designated by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization. Federal law prohibits knowingly providing money, weapons, equipment or other material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the FBI’s New York and Sacramento field offices and the New York City Police Department.
Akhtar is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 26, 2027. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The sentencing judge will determine the appropriate punishment after considering federal sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.