A Detroit man was arrested on Tuesday and charged with allegedly trying to provide money to ISIS last year. Federal prosecutors say he pledged his allegiance to the group and hoped to travel to the Middle East to aid in their cybersecurity and serve as an ISIS leader.
According to an indictment, Jibreel Pratt, 25, is charged with two counts of attempting to provide currency and monetary instruments to ISIS. The charges date back to incidents in March and May 2023, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Michigan.
Pratt was arrested at his home in Detroit on Tuesday morning.
“The indictment alleges that the defendant attempted to support and join ISIS, which is one of the most brutal terrorist organizations in the world. These charges reflect our commitment to hold accountable anyone who tries to help terrorists,” U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison said in a statement.
New court filings filed by federal prosecutors allege Ibreel Pratt initiated contact with what he thought was an ISIS contact that was actually an FBI informant in February of 2023 through WhatsApp.
Pratt then allegedly continued communication for months, sending photos of himself, weapons and handwritten notes of his personal plans which included to kidnap, kill and sabotage.
“I just don’t know what to say cause that’s crazy. And I want to know how we got that far into it you know what I’m saying," a neighbor who did not wish to be identified said.
Prosecutors allege he was ready to leave the country and join the terrorist organization and even attempted to provide money via Bitcoin to the group from March 2023 to May 2023.
"We want to stop them before anything can happen. That is the whole goal of the FBI's terrorism program," former special FBI agent Dan Roberts said. "We don't want people that are supporting terrorism in our communities."
Pratt has a criminal history of wire fraud and other financial charges, but was out on bond in 2023 when the alleged attempts to support ISIS were taking place.
“Mr. Pratt allegedly attempted to provide support to a foreign terrorist organization well known for committing violence and human rights violations,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The protection of the American people and our communities remains a top priority for the FBI. Through joint and coordinated efforts by our law enforcement and intelligence partners, and vigilant citizens, we will continue to disrupt plots by those who desire to harm others on behalf of a foreign terrorist organization. I would like to thank our Joint Terrorism Task Force for their work in this investigation and for their steadfast commitment to protecting our nation.”
Pratt faces up to 20 years in prison for each count.
