HARRISBURG, Pa. – Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz, 19, of Harrisburg, was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Scranton on charges of conspiring and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). His detention hearing and arraignment is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. in Harrisburg on December 23, 2015 before United States Chief Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson.
According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, the Indictment alleges that from July 2014 to December 17, 2015, Aziz, a U.S. citizen, knowingly conspired to provide, and attempted to provide, material support and resources, including personnel and services, to ISIL, a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Aziz was initially charged with the same offenses in a detailed criminal complaint unsealed last week on December 17, following his arrest. According to the complaint, Aziz used at least 57 different Twitter accounts to advocate violence against the United States and its citizens, to disseminate ISIL propaganda and espouse pro-ISIL views. Aziz allegedly posted a hyperlink containing the names, addresses, and other identifying information of 100 reported members of the U.S. Military and calls for violence against them. On at least three occasions, Aziz allegedly used his Twitter accounts and other electronic communication services to assist persons seeking to travel to and fight for ISIL. In one instance, Aziz allegedly acted as an intermediary between a person in Turkey and several well-known members of ISIL.
According to the allegations in the complaint, Aziz passed location information, including maps and a telephone number, between these ISIL supporters and a search of a backpack located in Aziz’s closet identified five loaded M4-style high-capacity magazines, a modified kitchen knife, a thumb drive, medication, and a balaclava (ski mask).
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), which includes the Pentagon Force Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania State Police, with assistance from the Harrisburg Bureau of Police.
If convicted Aziz faces a maximum penalty of 20 years federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
