The US authorities arrested a US citizen while he was preparing to travel overseas and join ISIS. The detainee, who was arrested at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, faces a 20-year prison sentence if convicted.
The Justice Department issued a statement announcing that Elvin Hunter Williams, 20, was accused of embracing an extremist ideology and was planning to travel from Seattle to Amsterdam, and then to Egypt to join ISIS.
In November 2020, a member of a Seattle-area mosque contacted the FBI with concerns about Williams. The mosque had attempted to provide support and guidance to Williams, but members became aware that he was deeply involved in ISIS propaganda.
Williams was using mosque-provided electronic devices to engage in online chats with ISIS radicals and to view ISIS propaganda videos of beheadings and other acts of violence.
In November 2020, Williams allegedly swore an oath of allegiance to ISIS, according to the statement.
With the help of confidential sources close to Williams, the FBI monitored his activity and became aware of his efforts to travel to the Middle East and join ISIS.
“Williams expressed to his associates that if he could not travel overseas, he would commit an attack in the US on behalf of ISIS.”
The statement indicated that Williams began communicating with those he believed were ISIS recruiters and could get him to an ISIS terror cell in the Middle East or other parts of the world.
In early May 2021, Williams booked a flight from Seattle to Amsterdam and on to Egypt to join ISIS, however, on May 28, he went to the airport to catch the first leg of his international flight and was arrested at the departure gate.
“Williams is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors,” read the statement.
Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Division John Demers said that Williams was determined to support ISIS either by traveling overseas to join and fight with the terrorist organization or by conducting an attack in the United States.
“The FBI was just as determined to stop him, and he was intercepted as he tried to make his way abroad,” said Demers.
The assistant warned that the threat of terrorism at home and abroad remains, and the National Security Division is committed to holding accountable those who would provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations.
For her part, Acting US Attorney for the Western District of Washington Tessa Gorman stated that the defendant proved persistent in his efforts to join ISIS, “speaking with enthusiasm about acts of horrific bloodshed in the Middle East and here at home.”
She commended the citizens who contacted law enforcement, including his family and faith community - expressing concerns about the defendant’s radicalization, noting that “their courage to speak up and work with law enforcement was important to ensure public safety.”
Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle Field Office Donald Voiret described Williams as an “individual self-radicalized, pledged loyalty to ISIS, and became consumed with activities to join the cause overseas.”
He praised the efforts of the concerned citizens and family members who reported his behavior on multiple occasions and all of the law enforcement agencies who worked tirelessly on this case, adding that “these combined efforts no doubt saved lives.”
