American Man Who Targeted Jews and Tried to Join ISIS Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison
Michael Sam Teekaye had discussed carrying out an attack against “Jews or supporters of Israel” in Maryland, and vowed to continue jihad after his release.A man from Maryland who targeted Jews and was charged with supporting the terrorist organization ISIS has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by a federal court on Wednesday.
Michael Sam Teekaye Jr., 22, was sentenced for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Teekaye pleaded guilty in January after sharing his plans with an undercover agent in 2023, according to the Department of Justice.
He told the agent that he wanted to travel to Africa to join ISIS as a fighter, had communicated with a Somali ISIS member, and had obtained a visa and plane tickets.
He also explained that his “Plan B” was to attack Jews and supporters of Israel in the United States.
He said he had researched organizations in his area that supported Israel and was considering how to “gun down key members or anyone involved.”
In a text message exchange with an undercover officer, Teekaye said he wanted to target “any place or high‑level person that supports Israel.”
The agent asked if he meant “Jews or Israeli supporters,” and Teekaye replied, “both.”
Teekaye had purchased ammunition and trained at a shooting range in Maryland. He attempted to buy an assault rifle, but was denied because he was on probation.
He posted images of himself at a shooting range on social media, along with a quote from an Islamic hadith about preparing for violence.
In a message to an undercover agent, Teekaye sent a photo of himself wearing a black mask and holding a machete, writing: “Victory of [martyrdom]… either you do it here or over there or both.”
The agent asked if he was sure he wanted to join ISIS, to which Teekaye responded: “They are the only group that has the most true and sincere intentions.”
FBI agents arrested Teekaye at Baltimore Airport in October after he checked in for a flight to Istanbul.
After his arrest, Teekaye told officers: “I’m just gonna get out in 20 years and I’m just gonna do it here.”
“I’ll be like 40 when I get out, then I’ll just do it. I don’t care. It will never stop. Jihad will never stop. I’ll come and I’ll kill your soldiers. I’ll kill you,” he said, while kicking and spitting on the officers.
After his arrest, the FBI searched his phone and found that Teekaye had looked up Jews and Israelis in his area, including a rabbi.
Other searches on his phone included: “How to break into a home” and “How to escape murder.”
Teekaye’s parents are from Sierra Leone and Liberia. He lived with his parents and sister, worked at a restaurant, and had a history of mental illness, according to the indictment.
He had been on the FBI’s radar since at least 2019, when he posted extremist Islamist ideology online as a teenager.
Source: Luke Tress – The Times of Israel
.gif)
Leave A Comment