Overview
Miguel Moran Diaz is a convicted felon for drug-related crimes and a self-described “Lone Wolf” hopeful for ISIS. According to court documents, Diaz actively sought to possess firearms in preparation for an attack on U.S. soil. After his arrest in Miami, Florida, in April 2015, Diaz pled guilty to possession of a firearm as a felon and, in July 2015, was sentenced to the maximum 10 years in prison for the offence.“Miami Resident and ISIL Sympathizer Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, July 28, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/miami/press-releases/2015/miami-resident-and-isil-sympathizer-sentenced-to-10-years-in-prison-for-illegally-possessing-a-firearm.
Before his arrest, Diaz met repeatedly with a confidential FBI informant to whom Diaz revealed his intentions to go on a mass shooting spree in the name of ISIS. Diaz claimed that he had a collapsible rifle that he could smuggle into a stadium undetected. He also revealed his intention to carve “ISIS” into shell casings so that after he went on a killing spree, authorities could find the casings and put the city on lockdown while they attempted to find the sniper.“Miami Resident and ISIL Sympathizer Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, July 28, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/miami/press-releases/2015/miami-resident-and-isil-sympathizer-sentenced-to-10-years-in-prison-for-illegally-possessing-a-firearm.
Before his arrest and conviction, Diaz was self-employed in Miami, working as a driver for Uber as well as in construction.Dan Krauth, “‘Pretty Scared’: Neighbors Speak About Miami Man Who Claimed ISIS Sympathy,” NBC 6, April 30, 2015, http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Pretty-Scared-Neighbors-Speak-About-Miami-Man-Who-Claimed-ISIS-Sympathy-301988931.html.
Associated Groups
- Extremist entity
- ISIS
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Insurgent, territory-controlling, religious, terrorist, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Islamist, jihadist, pan-Islamist, Salafist, takfiri
- Position(s):
- Aspiring lone wolf attacker, conspirator, homegrown extremist
ISIS is a violent jihadist group based in Iraq and Syria. The group has declared wilayas (provinces) in Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the North Caucasus. ISIS has also waged attacks in Turkey, Lebanon, France, Belgium, Iraq, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Tunisia, and Kuwait.
History
Daily Dose
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
In Their Own Words:
We reiterate once again that the brigades will directly target US bases across the region in case the US enemy commits a folly and decides to strike our resistance fighters and their camps [in Iraq].
Mar. 2023