U.S. Department
of Justice
Durham Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Provide Support to Terrorists
“In this case, the great work of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) was on display, leading to the apprehension and arrest of an individual planning to join ISIS and potentially engage in terrorist acts against the United States or other allies,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar. “This is just one example of how the JTTF’s tireless work protects our communities.”
White made numerous posts supporting ISIS and jihad between May and October of 2024 including videos commonly used to recruit new members and generate a passion for fighting as well as fundraising videos and several post and reposts in reference to well-known ISIS supporters and scholars. In addition, the complaint alleges that White made or attempted to make several transactions in support of camps and other similar ideological campaigns which are believed to funnel money to ISIS members and their supporters, and that White openly discussed his desire and intention to travel overseas to join ISIS with various individuals on Facebook and over other encrypted messaging applications (EMAs). In messages concerning his travel to join ISIS, he indicated that his goal was to be a “Mujahid,” which is Arabic for someone who commits jihad, or violence against non-Muslims.
"White planned to leave his family, North Carolina, and ultimately his country and fly to Morocco, hoping to actively fight with ISIS. Thanks to the long and countless hours, days, and months, worked by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), Mr. White was literally stopped in his tracks. We are grateful to our JTTF partners for their shared commitment to justice and public safety," said Robert M. DeWitt, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina.
The investigation into White is a result of the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Raleigh-based Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). The JTTF is a group of highly trained, locally based investigators, analysts, linguists, and other specialists from dozens of U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies that gather evidence, make arrests, provide security for special events, collect and share intelligence, and respond to threats and incidents at a moment’s notice. There are about 200 JTTFs across the country, including one in each field office, with hundreds of participating state, local and federal agencies.
Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gabriel Diaz, Jason Kellhofer, and Andrew Sigler of the National Security Division Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:25-CR-00009-M.
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