Samantha Marie Elhassani, aka Samantha Sally, 32, formerly of Elkhart, Ind., was charged on Aug. 22 in a two-count indictment with conspiring to provide material support to ISIS and aiding and abetting individuals by providing material support.
“My office is committed to aggressively pursuing and prosecuting those who support designated terrorist organizations such as ISIS,” said U.S. Attorney Thomas Kirsch said. “This indictment is an example of that commitment. The indictment alleges that Elhassani traveled abroad and provided funds and supplies for use by two ISIS fighters. The seriousness of the charges reflect the gravity of Elhassani’s alleged conduct.”
“The charges against Ms. Elhassani illustrate that actions of providing support to ISIS have serious consequences, and should serve as a reminder to American citizens that providing assistance to terrorist organizations or individuals aligned with terrorist entities will not be tolerated,” said Grant Mendenhall, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division.
The indictment alleges that from the fall of 2014 through summer of 2015, Elhassani provided material support and resources to ISIS knowing that the organization was a designated terrorist organization, and knowing that the organization has engaged in and was engaging in terrorist activity and terrorism. Elhassani is also charged with aiding and abetting two individuals in providing themselves as personnel to ISIS.
Under both charges she is alleged to have procured tactical gear and provided funds to support individuals presenting themselves as personnel for ISIS. In July 2018, Elhassani was transferred from the custody of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to U.S. law enforcement and charged with making false statements to the FBI in the Northern District of Indiana.
Read more at the Justice Department
