Arrests Made in Alleged ISIS Support Plot
On Friday, federal agents apprehended three American citizens from two different states, who are suspected of planning to fund attacks against U.S. troops through a highly notorious terrorist organization.
The individuals—21-year-old Bisam Ghafoor from Leawood, Kansas, Elias Shamsardeen, also 21, from Porterville, California, and 25-year-old Vereen Zayi from Lakeside, California—have been charged with conspiracy to provide material support for terrorism as stated by the Department of Justice. It was revealed in a federal complaint that these men had pooled over $2,000, which was given to someone believed to be affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq al-Sham (ISIS).
Prosecutors allege that the funds were meant to purchase drones and rocket-propelled grenades intended for attacks on U.S. military personnel stationed overseas. The complaint noted that Ghafoor’s name was marked on one of the projectiles, while Shamsardeen was reportedly in charge of financing the drone acquisition.
The document references a number of violent remarks taken from private messages among the three. Ghafoor described it as “sickening” to have his name associated with a drone used against Americans, and he expressed a desire to kill a significant number of Americans. Zayi proposed using drones to target U.S. special forces, whereas Shamsardeen allegedly expressed a wish to stab U.S. personnel.
From February 2025 to June 2026, the men reportedly communicated to explore various plans and asserted their allegiance to ISIS through platforms like Discord and voice calls. They even discussed the possibility of traveling abroad to fight and die for their cause.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the operation, stating that these individuals reportedly pledged allegiance to ISIS and planned attacks on U.S. military personnel, but the FBI stepped in before any harm could occur.
The arrests were made in the early hours of Friday, with the case now filed in the District of Kansas, Wisconsin. It is important to note that these charges are simply accusations, and each defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty.
