Harrisburg, Pa. man, 19, accused of trying to aid ISIS
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WPVI) -- A Pennsylvania 19-year-old pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, used Twitter to spread its propaganda and had a backpack with ammunition that suggests he might have been plotting an attack, federal authorities said.
Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz, of Harrisburg, was arrested Thursday and charged with attempting to provide material support to terrorists. He had an initial appearance in federal court on Thursday afternoon.
A briefing for reporters Friday afternoon by Marcus Brown, Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security, confirmed details of the case against Aziz.
Court documents said a "go bag" or "tactical-style backpack" found in Aziz's closet during a Nov. 27 search contained a high-capacity magazine loaded with ammunition, a modified kitchen knife, a thumb drive, a tin filled with medicine and a full-face mask similar to those worn by Islamic State militants. Aziz may have been "preparing to conduct or assist others in conducting an attack in the United States," according to a criminal complaint.
Aziz used Twitter to advocate violence against U.S. citizens and military members and to disseminate Islamic State propaganda, and also tried helping others travel to Syria to fight for the Islamic State group, authorities said.
A message left at Aziz's home wasn't immediately returned Thursday. Court documents don't list an attorney who could comment on the charges.
RELATED: Full statement from the U.S. Attorney
"We will remain vigilant in our efforts to hold accountable any and all those who seek to provide material support to terrorists, and to disrupt potential attacks in the United States before they happen," Assistant Attorney General John Carlin said in a statement.
Aziz "espouses violent jihadist beliefs and is a fervent supporter" of the Islamic State group, according to the criminal complaint.
He has used 57 different Twitter accounts - all traced to the home he shares with his parents - to advocate violence, encourage people to fund jihadist groups and express a desire to travel to territory controlled by the Islamic State group, the complaint said. Aziz would create a new account each time Twitter suspended him for violating its terms of service, court documents said.
Aziz has also tried promoting himself online as "someone who can facilitate travel on behalf of ISIL," said the complaint, using an acronym for the Islamic State group.
Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse told pennlive.com that the city was aware of Aziz "and at no point was public safety in jeopardy."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
