Maryland Man Sentenced for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS

A Maryland man was sentenced today in connection with charges stemming from his attempt to join and fight for ISIS.

U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson sentenced Michael Sam Teekaye Jr., 22, to 15 years in prison followed by lifetime supervised release, for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Teekaye revealed his plan to join and fight for ISIS to an undercover officer (UCO).

“Mr. Teekaye sought to support a foreign terrorist organization that has committed unspeakable acts of violence and took real-world steps to carry out a terrorist attack in Maryland,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O’Hayes for the District of Maryland. “Today’s sentence underscores that those who seek to aid terrorist organizations will be identified, prosecuted, and held fully accountable. I commend the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and our law-enforcement partners for their exceptional work in disrupting this threat and protecting our communities before any harm could occur. There is no margin for error when it comes to terrorism.”

“This sentencing reinforces the gravity of Michael Teekaye’s crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul of the FBI Baltimore Field Office. “Undoubtedly, lives were saved because law enforcement thwarted Teekaye’s plan to join ISIS and murder Americans. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force works around the clock to protect our country by identifying threats like this and preventing them from being carried out and harming our citizens.”

According to court documents, between March and April 2023, Teekaye engaged in multiple conversations with the UCO. During these conversations, Teekaye told the UCO he wanted to travel to Africa to join ISIS as a “mujahid,” or fighter. Teekaye also told the UCO that his “plan B” was to carry out an attack in the United States against Jews and people who support Israel. He said that he researched buildings close to him that support Israel and thought about how to “gun down key members or anyone involved.”

Read more: Department of Justice