Minneapolis man sentenced to over 8 years in ISIS support case
Abdisatar Ahmed Hassan, a Minneapolis man, was sentenced this week to 8.5 years in federal prison for attempting to travel overseas to join and provide material support to the Islamic State, prosecutors said.
The case was brought under federal material-support statutes in U.S. District Court. A grand jury indicted Hassan on April 29, 2025, and he pleaded guilty on September 29, 2025, court records show.
The episode traces back to 2024, when Hassan began consuming and sharing Islamic State propaganda and downloaded videos and manuals on explosives and sniper training. He researched weapons, contacted recruiters in Somalia via social media, quit his job, liquidated savings and bought a one-way ticket in December. Hassan tried to fly out from Minneapolis on December 13 but was turned away for improper documents, and on December 29 he was stopped in Chicago by customs officers who uncovered his intent to join militants overseas. After returning to Minnesota he continued online support, praised a January 1, 2025 attack in New Orleans and posted videos showing ISIS flags and weapons. The FBI arrested him on February 27, 2025.
Minnesota is home to roughly 107,000 people of Somali descent, the largest Somali community in the United States, and the state has previously produced a disproportionate share of U.S. foreign fighters. Between 2012 and 2019 at least 16 Somali-Americans tried or succeeded in joining ISIS, and Minnesota accounted for about 25 percent of U.S. foreign fighters who went to groups like ISIS and Al-Shabaab. Social media reactions to the sentence ranged from calls to denaturalize and deport Hassan to warnings that imprisonment could let him proselytize and recruit others, highlighting ongoing debates over how to handle domestic supporters of foreign terrorist groups.
📊 Relevant Data
Minnesota is home to approximately 107,000 people of Somali descent as of 2024, representing about 2% of the state's population and the largest Somali community in the United States.
By the numbers: Minnesota's Somali population, according to census data — KTTC
Between 2012 and 2019, at least 16 Somali-Americans attempted or succeeded in joining ISIS, with many cases originating from Minnesota, contributing to Minnesota accounting for 25% (39 out of 153) of all U.S. foreign fighters attempting to join groups like ISIS and Al-Shabaab during that period.
Transnational Crimes among Somali-Americans — Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice
📌 Key Facts
- A Minneapolis man was sentenced to over 8 years in federal prison.
- He attempted to travel overseas to join ISIS.
- He sought to provide material support to ISIS.
- The case was prosecuted under federal material‑support statutes in U.S. District Court.
- The report was published by Alphanews on April 25, 2026.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms federal sentencing length described as 'over 8 years' for the Minneapolis man who attempted to join ISIS.
- Reiterates that the conduct involved attempting to travel overseas to join ISIS and provide material support.
- Reaffirms that the case was prosecuted under federal material‑support statutes in U.S. District Court.