New Mexico man arrested and indicted for attempt to establish an ISIS training center News
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New Mexico man arrested and indicted for attempt to establish an ISIS training center

Federal prosecutors in New Mexico Friday announced the arrest of Herman Leyvoune Wilson (also known as Bilal Mu’Min Abdullah) on charges of providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). Wilson is also accused of attempting obstruct, influence and impede at least one official proceeding in the fall of 2020.

Federal prosecutors for the US Department of Justice’s New Mexico office and National Security Division, in conjunction with the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced a federal grand jury indicted Wilson on August 23, 2022. The indictment alleges that Wilson attempted to establish a New Mexico “Islamic State Center.” The center was allegedly designed to provide interested individuals with ISIS ideology and tactical training. The center was also meant to serve as a safe haven for individuals planning to fight and travel for ISIS both in the US and internationally.

In addition to the center, Wilson also established and administered an online platform to promote ISIS ideology and recruit ISIS fighters. Two ISIS supporters were sentenced in July to 18 and 20 years prison for providing material support to ISIS in connection with Wilson’s online platform. The two supporters told authorities they were radicalized by Wilson and without him “they would never have committed the crimes.” When the two supporters were arrested, Wilson told other online platform members to erase the evidence of their use of the online group. This is where the second charge against Wilson—attempting to obstruct, influence and impede at least one official proceeding—originates. 

Because ISIS is recognized by the US as a designated foreign terrorist organization, the charges against Wilson each carry a potential 20 year prison sentence. Under US law, it is illegal for any individual to knowingly provide material support or resources to the foreign terrorist organization.

Wilson’s arraignment is currently scheduled for August 30, 2022.

In Afghanistan, ISIS remains “lethal and active” with its latest violence being a bombing that occurred on August 18 at a mosque during evening prayers which killed 21 people.