FBI probe unearths larger terrorism plot

An FBI probe of a Maryland man uncovered a conspiracy for obtaining material support and resources from ISIS and planning to engage in terrorist activity.

Officials said the case of Mohamed Elshinawy, who plead guilty in March of this year and was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, began in 2015, as he was on the receiving end of money being transmitted into the United States from foreign terrorist operatives overseas. This differs from the more common occurrence of a suspect sending money out of the country to benefit a foreign terrorist group abroad.

The money, as the suspect understood it, was to help him plan a terrorist attack on American soil, officials said.

Authorities questioned Elshinawy, receiving several versions of the circumstances surrounding the turn of events, including Elshinawy noting that he never intended to carry out an attack and was just scamming money from the terrorist group. The FBI said it determined a broader conspiracy involving an international ISIS financing network, shady shell companies, and a plan to develop weaponized drones for use by the terror group.

Physical surveillance, court-authorized electronic surveillance, reviews of Elshinawy’s financial records, traces on the payments Elshinawy received back to overseas origins and search warrants on his residence, car, and email and social media accounts helped wrap the case, per officials.

With Elshinawy charged and taken into custody in December 2015, officials said suspects involved in the broader terrorism conspiracy were being arrested by overseas law enforcement made possible by investigative collaboration across national borders.