Burke resident Haris Qamar, 25, was arrested Friday, July 8 and charged with attempting to aid the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, in the form of providing material support and resources.
Qamar was scheduled to appear in front of a Magistrate Friday afternoon in Alexandra’s federal courthouse, a release from the U.S. Attorney’s office said.
The criminal complaint affidavit includes numerous recorded instances in which Qamar expressed his support for ISIS and the terrorist organization’s mission and methods to a confidential witness with the FBI.
Some of those discussions include Qamar sharing ideas about possible targets in and around Washington, D.C. for lone wolf attacks, showing excitement for the extreme violence ISIS employs and explaining how he tried to join ISIS himself in 2014 but his parents held his passport and prevented him from leaving.
If convicted, Qamar could serve up to 20 years in prison.