FBI Arrests Navy Veteran And Two Others In ISIS Support Case Tied To Alleged Plot On U.S. Troops
The FBI arrested three men Tuesday, June 9, 2026, accused of pledging allegiance to ISIS and allegedly plotting and funding drone and rocket attacks on U.S. service members overseas.[1]
The Department of Justice identified the defendants as Bisaam Ghafoor, 21, of Leawood, Kansas; Elias Shamsaldeen, 21, of Porterville, California; and Bereen Dzayee, 25, of Lakeside, California.[1] Court filings allege the trio collectively sent more than $2,000 to a person they believed was an ISIS member to buy drones and rocket-propelled grenades, and that they used Discord, voice calls and other messaging platforms to coordinate.[1] Prosecutors quote Ghafoor as saying it would be "sick" if his name were written on an attack drone and that he had always wanted to behead a female soldier.[1] The filings also quote him as saying, "I wish I could kill 300,000,000 Americans." Fox News
The criminal complaint says the alleged conduct occurred from February 2025 through June 2026.[1] It alleges Ghafoor's name was written on the projectile of a rocket-propelled grenade intended for an overseas attack, and that Shamsaldeen funded drones meant to kill U.S. service members.[1] DOJ and Navy records show Bereen Dzayee is a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 2021 to 2024 and deployed aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain.[1]
In a June 6 Fox News interview, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche described the defendants' anti-American rhetoric as "very disturbing" and framed the case as part of a broader national-security crackdown.[2] On June 9 he issued a statement praising the FBI and federal agents for disrupting the alleged ISIS-linked plot and saying the arrests show the administration's commitment to taking down terrorist networks.[1] If convicted of conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison and fines under federal law.
The mainstream summary does not address the potential legal ramifications of the defendants' actions, specifically that conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization can lead to a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment, or even life if death results. This critical detail underscores the seriousness of the charges against Ghafoor, Shamsaldeen, and Dzayee and highlights the legal framework under which their alleged actions are being prosecuted.[3]
Additionally, the summary overlooks the broader context of homegrown Islamist radicalization in the U.S., particularly among military veterans. Research indicates that factors such as trauma, prejudice, and difficulties transitioning to civilian life can contribute to veterans associating with radical groups. This nuanced understanding of the risk factors involved in radicalization among veterans is essential for grasping the complexities of this case. The internet's role in facilitating rapid dissemination of extremist propaganda and creating echo chambers further complicates the landscape of radicalization, a point not covered in the mainstream account.[3]
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📊 Relevant Data
Conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 2339B for conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment (or life if death results) and a fine of up to $250,000 for individuals.
Terrorist Material Support: An Overview of 18 U.S.C. § 2339A and § 2339B — Congressional Research Service
📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, the Department of Justice named the three defendants as Bisaam Ghafoor, 21, of Leawood, Kansas; Elias Shamsaldeen, 21, of Porterville, California; and Bereen Dzayee, 25, of Lakeside, California (Bisaam Ghafoor).
- DOJ and Navy records show that Bereen Dzayee is a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 2021 to 2024 and deployed aboard the guided‑missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (Bereen Dzayee).
- A criminal complaint alleges that from February 2025 through June 2026 the three men used Discord, voice calls and other messaging platforms to pledge allegiance to ISIS, coordinate support and plot attacks on U.S. military personnel (criminal complaint).
- Prosecutors say the trio collectively sent more than $2,000 to an individual they believed to be an ISIS member to buy advanced weapons, including drones and rocket‑propelled grenades (more than $2,000).
- Court filings quote Ghafoor as allegedly saying it would be "sick" if his name were written on an attack drone, that he had always wanted to behead a female soldier, and adding, "I wish I could kill 300,000,000 Americans" (court filings).
- The complaint alleges Ghafoor’s name was written on the projectile of a rocket‑propelled grenade intended for an overseas attack, while Elias Shamsaldeen allegedly funded drones intended to kill U.S. service members and said his mother encouraged her children to kill Americans (rocket‑propelled grenade).
- In a June 6, 2026 Fox News interview, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche highlighted the same three Kansas and California defendants as part of a broader Justice Department national‑security crackdown and described the defendants' anti‑American rhetoric as "very disturbing" (Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche).
- On June 9, 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a statement crediting the FBI and federal agents with disrupting the alleged ISIS‑linked plot and saying the arrests show the administration’s commitment to taking down terrorist networks (the FBI).
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, DOJ named the three defendants as Bisaam Ghafoor, 21, of Leawood, Kansas; Elias Shamsaldeen, 21, of Porterville, California; and Bereen Dzayee, 25, of Lakeside, California.
- DOJ and Navy records show Dzayee is a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 2021 to 2024 and deployed aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain.
- The criminal complaint alleges that from February 2025 through June 2026 the three men used Discord, voice calls and other messaging platforms to pledge allegiance to ISIS, coordinate support and plot attacks on U.S. military personnel.
- Prosecutors say the trio collectively sent more than $2,000 to an individual they believed to be an ISIS member, funds they allegedly thought would buy advanced weapons including drones and rocket‑propelled grenades.
- Court filings quote Ghafoor as allegedly saying it would be "sick" if his name were written on an attack drone and that he had always wanted to behead a female soldier, adding, "I wish I could kill 300,000,000 Americans."
- The complaint alleges Ghafoor’s name was written on the projectile of a rocket‑propelled grenade meant for an overseas attack, while Shamsaldeen allegedly funded drones intended to kill U.S. service members and said his mother encouraged her children to kill Americans.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a statement on June 9 saying the arrests show the administration’s commitment to taking down terrorist networks and credited the FBI with disrupting the alleged scheme.
- In a June 6, 2026 Fox News interview, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche highlighted the same three Kansas and California defendants as part of a broader Justice Department national-security crackdown.
- Blanche described the defendants' anti-American rhetoric as "very disturbing" and framed the case as evidence that "this fight is not over" and that people still seek to harm the U.S. and its citizens.
- He publicly praised the speed and effectiveness of FBI and federal agents in disrupting the alleged ISIS-linked plot targeting U.S. service members.