A Minnesota man has been handed a decade-long prison sentence for his role in supporting ISIS, a recognized foreign terrorist organization. Abdelhamid Al-Madioum, 27, from St. Louis Park, received the sentence after a plea of guilty on charges of offering material support. He is also facing 15 years of supervised release once he completes his time behind bars.

According to the Justice Department, Al-Madioum took a family trip to Morocco in June 2015, but then he made his way to Syria to join the ranks of ISIS fighters, leaving behind his extended family. After receiving military training and being injured, Al-Madioum served the group as a personnel database administrator despite his injury, which he sustained during military activities for the group.

While the weight of Al-Madioum's actions merited serious sentencing, the government had asked for leniency in light of his "substantial assistance," as per the Justice Department. Details on the extent of his cooperation are not publicly outlined; however, it was significant enough to influence the court's decision on his sentence.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger for the District of Minnesota, and Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch, who announced the sentencing, led the investigative and prosecution efforts. Serving as a soldier for ISIS until late 2015, Al-Madioum was finally captured by Syrian Democratic Forces in March of 2019.

The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Trial Attorney John Cella of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter for the District of Minnesota.