Below is a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton has sentenced Moad Mohamed Benkabbou (23, Kissimmee) to six years in federal prison for making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in an interview relating to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Benkabbou had pleaded guilty on May 5, 2023.

According to Benkabbou’s plea agreement and evidence previously admitted during a hearing, Benkabbou swore an oath to support ISIS in January 2020, made plans to travel to Turkey and Syria to fight for ISIS, sent money to support ISIS, purchased airplane tickets in August 2020 and January 2021 (later cancelled both tickets), and sent ISIS propaganda videos to others, including ISIS sponsored videos showing the executions (by gunshot and beheading) of American allies fighting against ISIS.  Benkabbou also sent a photo of himself dressed as an ISIS fighter with the statement, “Hey Crusaders hey Jews die within your rage.” When interviewed on two occasions by FBI in relation to these activities, Benkabbou lied about his involvement with and support of ISIS.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Shawn P. Napier and Kara M. Wick.