An Albanian man with dual citizenship in the U.S. was charged Friday for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State and distributing instructional material on making explosives, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Erald Alimehmeti, 33, of Tirana, Albania — a former New York City resident — served from late 2015-2019 and again from 2020-2022 in an Albanian prison over weapons and assault charges.
Alimehmeti allegedly used online accounts to research “D.C. Sniper” style attacks and request “tactical” equipment and “gear” for “training” and “operations” in support of ISIS, per the DOJ release.
He also reportedly solicited “magazine pouches,” and “knives,” and described modifications he intended to make to his “AKM” — an apparent reference to an assault rifle.
Alimehmeti’s charges for supporting ISIS carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, in addition to one count of distribution of information pertaining to explosives, destructive devices, and weapons of mass destruction in furtherance of a federal crime of violence, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years, prosecutors said.
The U.S. military has carried out at least 95 counter-ISIS operations in recent months.
The latest litigation comes after authorities apprehended and charged a U.S. soldier earlier this month for attempting to aid an ISIS plot. A Florida man with ties to ISIS was also recently arrested over a plot to bomb the New York Stock Exchange in an effort to “reset” the U.S. government.
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