A Detroit man was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for plotting to secretly fund ISIS with cryptocurrency, authorities announced. Jibreel Pratt, 26, had pleaded guilty to two counts of concealing transactions and details regarding his intent to provide monetary support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. has identified Pratt as the latest individual in a string of cases targeting American supporters of ISIS. He was quoted in an article from the Department of Justice, stating, "Mr. Pratt is the latest traitor who—in his own words—operated ‘in the shadows.’" Gorgon further emphasized the ongoing vigilance against similar threats.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation's investigation into Pratt's activities revealed a worrying picture of his intentions. According to court documents, Pratt engaged a Confidential Human Source (CHS), whom he believed was an ISIS member, to discuss joining the terrorist group and to facilitate his support from February 2023. His communications showed a commitment to the cause as he recorded a video pledging allegiance to ISIS’s leader and sent Bitcoin to assist others in joining the radical organization.
Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan, of the FBI in Michigan, underscored the severity of the situation and the success of their efforts. She stated, per the Department of Justice, "Today’s sentencing of Jibreel Pratt is a testament to the hard work of FBI Detroit’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in keeping Michigan safe from homegrown violent extremists." The sentiment echoed acknowledgment of the continuous threat posed by those who align themselves with terrorist entities and the FBI's relentless mission to counter such threats.
Assistant United States Attorneys Douglas Salzenstein and Jennifer Burke, along with the National Security Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, handled the prosecution.
