A 23-year-old U.S. citizen from Houston has been sentenced to federal prison for attempting to provide material support to the ISIS terrorist organization. Kaan Sercan Damlarkaya, who pleaded guilty in July 2019, attempted to join and support ISIS from August to December 2017. U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen ordered Damlarkaya to serve 165 months in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release.
Damlarkaya’s intention to kill in the name of ISIS was clear, as he kept a machete by his bed, ready for use against law enforcement. He also provided instructions on how to make a bomb to other ISIS supporters and was prepared to travel overseas and become a martyr. The sentence ensures that he will be away from weapons and explosives for many years, making the community safer.
In addition to wanting to join ISIS, Damlarkaya shared information with ISIS supporters about the use of machetes and how to manufacture an automatic weapon. He also provided instructions on building and using explosive materials. The FBI’s Houston Field Office emphasized the importance of preventing terrorist attacks and highlighted the shift from sophisticated, externally directed plots to individual, inspired attacks. Damlarkaya’s arrest prevented him from carrying out his terrorism plan, turning his dream of being a martyr into the reality of being a federal prisoner.
Damlarkaya’s plans to join ISIS overseas involved numerous online conversations with individuals he believed were fellow ISIS supporters. He expressed his intentions to travel to Syria or Afghanistan to fight for ISIS. If he was unsuccessful in joining the group overseas, he planned to carry out an attack on non-Muslims in the United States. He considered it his dream to become a martyr.
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Furthermore, Damlarkaya provided information to other ISIS supporters on how to make a bomb using triacetone triperoxide, urging them to take safety seriously while manufacturing the explosive. He also explained how to construct an automatic weapon and claimed that he slept with a machete under his pillow, ready to use in case of a law enforcement raid.
Upon Damlarkaya’s arrest, a machete was found by his bed during the execution of a search warrant at his residence. He has been in custody since then and will remain so until he is transferred to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility, which will be determined in the near future.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to prevent terrorist attacks and protect the public. The Joint Terrorism Task Force continues to gather and share information to ensure the safety of communities. The evolving threat of terrorism requires constant vigilance and the collaboration of various agencies to identify and disrupt potential attacks.
The sentencing of Damlarkaya serves as a clear message that individuals who attempt to support terrorist organizations and pose a threat to national security will face severe consequences. The justice system is dedicated to holding such individuals accountable and ensuring the safety and security of the country and its citizens.
In conclusion, the 23-year-old U.S. citizen from Houston, Kaan Sercan Damlarkaya, has been sentenced to 165 months in federal prison for attempting to provide material support to the ISIS terrorist organization. His intentions to join ISIS, kill in the name of the organization, and become a martyr were evident through his actions and conversations with other ISIS supporters. The efforts of law enforcement agencies have successfully prevented him from carrying out his terrorism plan, emphasizing the importance of ongoing vigilance in countering the evolving threat of terrorism. The sentencing sends a strong message that those who support terrorist organizations will face severe consequences and that the justice system is committed to the safety and security of the nation.
