An Army soldier recently plead guilty to four federal counts of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Federal officials said Ikaika Erik Kang, 35, a Sergeant First Class stationed at Schofield Barracks, was indicted on terrorism charges on July 19, 2017. As part of a plea agreement, he will serve 25 years in prison and at least 20 years, and up to life, of supervised release. His sentencing is set for Dec. 10.
Authorities said in late June and early July of 2018, Kang met numerous times with undercover FBI agents who he believed had connections to ISIS, providing them with sensitive, non-public military documents, some of which were classified at the SECRET level, which he intended that they later provide to ISIS. He also provided undercover agents with a commercially purchased small aerial drone, a military chest rig, and other military-style clothing and gear, and lead them in a hand-to-hand military combative training session using his weapons to train the purported ISIS member in fighting techniques.
“Kang swore to defend the United States as a member of our military, but betrayed his country by swearing allegiance to ISIS and attempting to provide material support to the foreign terrorist organization,” John C. Demers, assistant Attorney General for National Security, said. “He will be held accountable for his crimes. I want to thank all of the agents, analysts, and prosecutors who are responsible for this case.”