Ohio man who indicted for 'providing material support to Islamic State' after telling FBI informant 'he would behead his non-Muslim son to honor the terror group'

  • Amir Said Rahman Al-Ghazi, 38, 'tried to buy an AK-47 from informant' 
  • The Ohio native was born Robert McCollum, was arrested in June 
  • He used social media to persuade other Americans to join ISIS, FBI said
  • Allegedly plotted 'lone wolf attacks' on the US such as derailing a train
  • Told an FBI informant 'he would behead his non-Muslim son if necessary'
  • He is also charged with drugs and firearms offenses, affidavit states

By Reuters and Mia De Graaf For Dailymail.com

Published: 10:33 EST, 16 July 2015 | Updated: 12:22 EST, 16 July 2015

An Ohio man has been indicted on charges of providing material support to the Islamic State.

Amir Said Rahman Al-Ghazi, 38, was arrested in June in a Cleveland suburb as he attempted to buy an AK-47 from an undercover agent for $400 to use in a propaganda video.

Boasting about his dedication, he allegedly told the FBI informant that if war broke out in the U.S. between Muslims and non-Muslims, he would 'cut off the head of his non-Muslim son if necessary.'

Al-Ghazi legally changed his name from Robert McCollum earlier this year.

Charged: Amir Said Rahman Al-Ghazi, born Robert McCollum, has been charged with providing material to the Islamic State after he tried to buy an AK47 from an FBI informant and said he would behead his son

Charged: Amir Said Rahman Al-Ghazi, born Robert McCollum, has been charged with providing material to the Islamic State after he tried to buy an AK47 from an FBI informant and said he would behead his son

According to the US Justice Department, his arrest came after months of social media posts that praised the Islamic State and vowed to carry out terrorist attacks in the US.

One plot, his affidavit claims, involved derailing a train. 

Speaking to three different informants, he allegedly said he supports the murder of Christians, Jews and atheists, and referred to Iraqis as his 'brothers and sisters'. 

However, he told an undercover agent he did not plan on being a martyr. He 'wanted to get away with it'.

But later, he wrote in an online chat: 'You don't fear death anymore its like walking thru a door for a martyr u know.' 

When he was arrested on June 19, Assistant Attorney General John Carlin said: 'According to the allegations in the complaint, Al-Ghazi attempted to provide material support to ISIL and committed other federal weapon and drug offenses.

According to the Justice Department, he tweeted about plans to carry out 'lone wolf' attacks on the US

According to the Justice Department, he tweeted about plans to carry out 'lone wolf' attacks on the US

'Counterterrorism is the National Security Division's highest priority and we will continue to pursue justice against those who seek to provide material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations.' 

'It is clear that no area is immune from the influence of ISIL and its recruitment machine,' Stephen Anthony, agent in charge of the Cleveland FBI field office, said in a statement. 

'We hope this arrest will serve as a strong message to others who may consider providing support to terrorists.' 

 

Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.