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The FBI has arrested three American citizens—Bisaam Ghafoor, 21, of Leawood, Kansas; Elias Shamsaldeen, 21, of Porterville, California; and Bereen Dzayee, 25, of Lakeside, California—charging them with conspiring to provide material support to ISIS. Federal authorities say the suspects collectively funneled over $2,000 to an individual they believed to be an ISIS operative, while exchanging messages that expressed a desire to murder American service members and civilians.
According to the Department of Justice, the men communicated through Discord chats, voice calls, and encrypted messaging platforms, where their conversations revealed a disturbing level of radicalization. Text messages included wishes for US troops to be murdered in drone strikes, with Ghafoor allegedly exclaiming it would be “sick” if his name could be written on a drone used in an attack on Americans. Dzayee suggested that targets should include US Special Forces, while Shamsaldeen expressed a desire to stab and injure a US servicemember.
The most chilling messages came from Ghafoor, who authorities say stated he has “always wanted to kill a female soldier by beheading” and added, “I wish I could kill 300,000,000 Americans.” Federal investigators also uncovered evidence that the suspects explored using cryptocurrency schemes to fund weapons purchases for ISIS.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a statement emphasizing the administration’s commitment to dismantling terrorist networks wherever they operate. “Today’s arrest of three individuals who allegedly conspired to provide material support to ISIS makes clear our commitment to taking down terrorist networks—anywhere,” Blanche said. “Thanks to the vigilance of the FBI, their alleged scheme was dismantled and further acts of violence against US service members were prevented.”
FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted the significance of the operation, noting that the suspects “swore allegiance to ISIS, plotted multiple attacks, and even targeted US service members.” Patel credited the success of the investigation to coordinated efforts across FBI field offices in Kansas City, San Diego, Sacramento, Newark, and Richmond, along with the Counterterrorism Division.
Video footage from the execution of search warrants shows FBI agents carrying large paper bags from the home of 25-year-old Bereen Dzayee in Lakeside, California. The arrests mark another instance of homegrown terrorism threats emanating from within American communities, raising serious questions about how young men born and raised in the United States become radicalized to the point of plotting mass murder against their fellow citizens.
Blanche appeared on Fox News Saturday morning to discuss the arrests, describing the three young men as “completely indoctrinated by terrorism and by terrorists.” He added, “It’s a good reminder to Americans that this fight is not over. There are still a lot of people that want to inject harm into this country and our citizens.”
The case underscores the persistent threat of domestic radicalization and the critical importance of intelligence-sharing and proactive law enforcement in preventing terrorist attacks before they materialize.
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