ORLANDO, FLORIDA – Moad Mohamed Benkabbou, 23, from Kissimmee, has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) concerning his involvement with ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization. U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton issued the sentence following Benkabbou’s guilty plea on May 5, 2023.
The plea agreement and evidence presented during a hearing revealed Benkabbou’s allegiance to ISIS. In January 2020, he pledged support to ISIS and undertook several actions aligning with the organization’s objectives. These included plans to travel to Turkey and Syria to fight for ISIS, financial contributions to the group, purchasing airplane tickets for intended travel in August 2020 and January 2021 (both later canceled), and dissemination of ISIS propaganda. This propaganda included videos of executions of American allies and a photo of himself dressed as an ISIS fighter with a threatening message against “Crusaders” and “Jews”.
Benkabbou’s falsehoods came to light during two interviews with the FBI, wherein he denied his involvement and support for ISIS.
The investigation was led by the FBI and the prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Shawn P. Napier and Kara M. Wick.