Overview

U.S.-born Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz is an alleged facilitator, propagandist, and would-be foreign fighter for ISIS. In December 2015, then-19-year-old Aziz was arrested on charges of conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS.Maria Stainer, “Pennsylvania man charged with providing material support to ISIS,” Washington Times, December 18, 2015, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/dec/18/jalil-ibn-ameer-aziz-a-pennsylvania-man-charged-wi/. Aziz pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to provide material support and communicating a threat to injure,“Harrisburg terror suspect pleads guilty,” ABC27, January 30, 2017, http://abc27.com/2017/01/30/harrisburg-terror-suspect-pleads-guilty/. and was sentenced to 160 months in prison.“Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz Sentenced for Conspiracy to Provide Material Support and Resources to a Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization and Transmitting a Communication Containing a Threat to Injure,” U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Public Affairs, December 20, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/jalil-ibn-ameer-aziz-sentenced-conspiracy-provide-material-support-and-resources-designated.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Aziz utilized Twitter to disseminate ISIS’s propaganda and operated under at least 57 consecutive accounts.“United States of America v. Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz,” United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, December 17, 2015, 6, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/800566/download. Aziz allegedly facilitated the travel of ISIS recruits over Twitter, serving as a liaison between potential foreign fighters and facilitators in Turkey.“United States of America v. Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz,” United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, December 17, 2015, 13, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/800566/download. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Aziz “passed location information, including maps and a telephone number, between these [ISIS] supporters.”“Jalil Abn Ameer Aziz Who Was Charged With Providing Material Support To ISIL Faces New Charges For Solicitation To Commit A Crime Of Violence And Transmitting A Communication Containing A Threat To Injure,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 18, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/jalil-abn-ameer-aziz-who-was-charged-providing-material-support-isil-faces-new-charges. Aziz also allegedly tweeted a list of names and addresses of 100 U.S. military members and called for violence against them.“Pennsylvania Resident Charged with Providing Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, December 17, 2015, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/pennsylvania-resident-charged-providing-material-support-isil. He regularly tweeted about his desire to “buy” a 17-year-old female Yazidi slave upon his arrival to the so-called caliphate.“United States of America v. Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz,” United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, December 17, 2015, 11, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/800566/download.

In June 2014, Aziz officially declared his allegiance to ISIS on Twitter,“United States of America v. Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz,” United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, December 17, 2015, 7, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/800566/download. and encouraged others to “perform their Islamic duty” and “support jihad with wealth.”“United States of America v. Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz,” United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, December 17, 2015, 8, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/800566/download. He offered advice on how to discreetly travel to Syria without raising suspicion. Aziz advocated for violence, and frequently encouraged the killing of non-Muslims by tweeting the hashtag #killallkuffar.Sam Wood, “Pa. teen charged with aiding ISIS,” Philly.com, December 17, 2015, http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Pa_teen_charged_with_aiding_ISIS.html.

On November 27, 2015, authorities issued a court order to search Aziz’s home where he lived with his parents.Mike Wereschagin, “FBI: Harrisburg man helped would-be jihadists for ISIS,” The Morning Call, December 18, 2015, http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-harrisburg-man-helped-3-would-be-jihadists-20151218-story.html. Upon examining his closet, authorities recovered an army-style tactical backpack, five high capacity magazines loaded with 5.6 ammunition, a kitchen knife wrapped in string with the handle removed, and a balaclava.“United States of America v. Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz,” United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, December 17, 2015, 16, http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/800566/download.

Authorities arrested Aziz on December 17, 2015, on charges of conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS.“Pennsylvania Resident Charged with Providing Material Support to ISIL,” U.S. Department of Justice, December 17, 2015, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/pennsylvania-resident-charged-providing-material-support-isil;
Maria Stainer, “Pennsylvania man charged with providing material support to ISIS,” Washington Times, December 18, 2015, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/dec/18/jalil-ibn-ameer-aziz-a-pennsylvania-man-charged-wi/. He pleaded not guilty on December 23.Associated Press, “Young Pennsylvania man charged with trying to help IS group deemed flight risk,” WTAE.com, December 24, 2015, http://www.wtae.com/news/harrisburg-man-charged-with-supporting-isis/37016430. In May 2016, Aziz faced a new charge for solicitation to commit a crime of violence and transmitting a communication containing a threat to injure. The charge relates to accusations that Aziz tweeted the names of military personnel and encouraged violence against them. He pleaded not guilty to the charge in late May.“Jalil Abn Ameer Aziz Who Was Charged With Providing Material Support To ISIL Faces New Charges For Solicitation To Commit A Crime Of Violence And Transmitting A Communication Containing A Threat To Injure,” U.S. Department of Justice, May 18, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/jalil-abn-ameer-aziz-who-was-charged-providing-material-support-isil-faces-new-charges. On January 30, 2017, Aziz pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to provide material support and communication of a threat to injure.“Harrisburg terror suspect pleads guilty,” ABC27, January 30, 2017, http://abc27.com/2017/01/30/harrisburg-terror-suspect-pleads-guilty/.

On December 20, 2017, Aziz was sentenced to 160 months in federal prison and 12 years of post-release supervision. He was also ordered to pay $6,635.79 in restitution to the U.S. military personnel whose lives he threatened.“Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz Sentenced for Conspiracy to Provide Material Support and Resources to a Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization and Transmitting a Communication Containing a Threat to Injure,” U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Public Affairs, December 20, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/jalil-ibn-ameer-aziz-sentenced-conspiracy-provide-material-support-and-resources-designated.

Aziz is currently incarcerated at Marion United States Penitentiary in Illinois, with a scheduled release date of April 27, 2027.“JALIL IBN AMEE AZIZ,” Find an Inmate – Federal Bureau of Prisons, accessed April 11, 2021, https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.