On December 13, 2024, a jury found a Virginia man guilty of charges linked to assisting the terrorist organization, ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham).
The Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed in a recent media release that Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, a 35-year-old resident of Springfield, Virginia, had been involved in sending funds to members of ISIS. His primary motive was to finance the escape of female members from prison camps and provide support to ISIS fighters.
Chhipa allegedly raised funds through multiple social media accounts and received donations via electronic transfers. Additionally, he reportedly traveled long distances to personally collect money.
Chhipa would convert the funds into cryptocurrency and then send it to Turkey, where it would be smuggled to ISIS members in Syria.
Chhipa sent over $185,000 in cryptocurrency to ISIS between October 2019 and October 2022.
Last week, Chhipa was found guilty by a jury on multiple charges. These include one count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, as well as four counts of providing and attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, he could be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison for each count.
A federal judge has set a date for Chhipa’s sentencing hearing on May 5, 2025. During the hearing, the judge will evaluate various factors, including the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, to determine Chhipa’s fate.
The FBI is still investigating the case.
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