Charges Filed Against Man for Alleged ISIS Support

On Monday, prosecutors announced charges against a 22-year-old man for allegedly discussing potential attacks in the U.S. while participating in a pro-ISIS group chat, as well as supposedly planning his own offensive.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially charged Mohammed Saga with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). Reports indicate that Saga engaged in conversations online with an individual believed to be affiliated with ISIS, discussing the use of a virtual private network (VPN). Court documents show that he acquired a VPN and shared it with others, along with instructions on how to use it.

According to the DOJ, Saga connected with the confidential source online around October 2025. He reportedly expressed his intention to assist an ISIS member from the chat group in attacking a religious place. Between December 2025 and June 2026, he took part in at least one online chat where ISIS supporters deliberated potential terrorist acts in the U.S., specifically targeting places of worship.

The suspect also allegedly mentioned considering attacks against National Guard facilities or Jewish synagogues. He purportedly exchanged images or videos of these potential targets with others, indicating they were located near his home in Wayne, New Jersey.

The source allegedly sent messages and images to Saga, suggesting he was on land controlled by ISIS in Syria. Some of these images included a photo of the source holding an ISIS flag on a truck. Saga reportedly expressed a desire to travel to ISIS territory and attempted to do so unsuccessfully in March 2026.

Robert Fraser, the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, recognized the efforts of local law enforcement and the FBI in the investigation of this case. He commented on Saga’s arrest, underlining that the defendant aimed to support ISIS and had shown interest in committing violence against targets in the U.S., including places of worship.

Fraser emphasized that those attempting to aid foreign terrorist organizations would face a prompt response from federal law enforcement. He assured that authorities would remain vigilant in identifying and prosecuting individuals who support terrorism and put community safety at risk.

Saga appeared in federal court on Monday, where a judge ordered his detention. He faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and the possibility of life in prison with supervised release.

This is not the first instance of individuals facing charges for providing support to ISIS. Recent cases include Bisam Ghafoor, Elias Shamsardeen, and Bereen Zayi, who were charged with conspiring to provide material support for terrorism. They allegedly collected over $2,000 intended to purchase drones and rocket-propelled grenades to target U.S. service members abroad, having pledged allegiance to ISIS via various communication platforms, including Discord.