Three Men Charged with Supporting ISIS

Three men, including a U.S. Navy veteran, face charges for allegedly conspiring to aid the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group, according to federal authorities. The Justice Department reports that the suspects planned attacks on American troops, with one suspect expressing intent to behead a female soldier and another wanting his name on a drone attacking Americans.

The individuals charged are Bisaam Ghafoor, 21, of Leawood, Kansas; Elias Shamsaldeen, 21, of Porterville, California; and Bereen Dzayee, 25, of Lakeside, California. Legal documents reveal the men collectively sent over $2,000 to someone they believed was an ISIS member.

“This administration has put terrorists, cartels, and gangs on notice,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Today’s arrest of three individuals who allegedly conspired to provide material support to ISIS underscores our commitment to dismantling terrorist networks anywhere.”

Dzayee previously served in the U.S. Navy from 2021 to 2024, with deployment on the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain.

Federal prosecutors claim the men used Discord chats, voice calls, and other messaging platforms from February 2025 to June 2026 to support ISIS, pledge loyalty, and plan attacks against U.S. military personnel. The FBI identified them through social media posts praising the terrorist group, as detailed in court documents.

The complaint states the suspects intended their funds to purchase advanced weaponry. Shamsaldeen allegedly contributed money for drones aimed at American service members overseas, whereas Ghafoor’s name appeared on a grenade projectile set for foreign deployment.

During conversations about financing drone strikes, Ghafoor allegedly said it would be “sick” to have his name on an attack drone. He also purportedly expressed a desire to kill a female soldier by beheading, fantasizing about killing 300 million Americans.

Shamsaldeen reportedly described wanting to stab an American service member and shared that his mother encouraged her children to kill Americans. He admitted to playing violent video games while imagining participating in real-world terrorist operations.

Prosecutors noted Dzayee, the Navy veteran, allegedly suggested targeting U.S. Green Berets and Special Forces. To disguise their activities, Dzayee proposed labeling the funds to ISIS as a “donation” or “charity.” Attempts to transfer money using a cryptocurrency ATM were unsuccessful, investigators found.