A federal judge in Wilmington, N.C., sentenced Alexander Justin White, 30, of Durham, to 8 years in federal prison for conspiring and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). White was arrested by law enforcement as he tried to board a flight to North Africa, intending to join ISIS as a terrorist fighter.
Between May and October 2024, White made numerous online posts supporting ISIS and jihad, including recruitment videos and calls for fighting. He also engaged in fundraising and attempted several financial transactions to funnel money to ISIS members and their supporters, referencing well-known ISIS enablers.
White openly discussed his desire to travel overseas and join ISIS on Facebook and encrypted messaging applications, expressing his wish to be a “Mujahid” and a willingness to kill U.S. military members and citizens. In preparation, he purchased a flight to North Africa and equipment for use abroad.
“The United States does not tolerate terrorism in any form,” U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle said. “Whether keyboard warriors or wannabe fighters, the Department of Justice and FBI will relentlessly bring them to justice.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis added that White “planned to abandon his family, betray his country, and fly to Morocco to actively fight with the terrorist group ISIS.”
The FBI’s Raleigh-based Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) intervened, arresting White at the airport before he could board his flight. Authorities emphasize that ISIS continues to pose a significant threat to U.S. interests, both domestically and abroad, necessitating continued vigilance against inspired terrorism.