Ex-Marine Corps Reservist from Irvine sentenced for lying to FBI during terrorism investigation

A former U.S. Marine Corps reservist from Irvine was sentenced on Monday, Mov. 27, to three years and 10 months in prison for lying to the FBI about communicating with someone who had expressed interest in joining a foreign terrorist organization in an online chat group.

Jason Fong, now 27, was initially accused of trying to help two foreign terrorist organizations, including by allegedly providing information on how to make chemical weapons and bombs.

Federal prosecutors, at the time of Fong’s indictment in early 2022, accused him of compiling and providing tactical, combat and weapons-training materials, along with information on how to make chemical weapons, booby traps and improvised-explosive devices, to Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, a terrorist organization in Syria.

He was also accused of trying to provide support — in the form of fundraising and money — to the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing.

Fong was accused of communicating with a minor who wanted to join Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, as well as an undercover law enforcement officer posing as an extremist who wanted to travel to Syria to take part in “violent jihad,” according to court filings.

Read more: Orange County Register