Via Piñon Post:
On Saturday, it was reported that Herman Leyvoune Wilson, also known as Bilal Mu’Min Abdullah, 45, of Albuquerque, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of attempting to set up an “Islamic State Center” in the state.
Wilson’s center would “teach ISIS ideology, provide training in tactical maneuvers and martial arts, and serve as a safe haven for individuals preparing to travel and fight on behalf of ISIS in the United States and abroad,” the DOJ said.
According to a Fox News report, “The DOJ also charged Wilson with attempting to obstruct, influence and impede an official proceeding for allegedly shutting down an online platform to destroy and conceal records. Wilson allegedly used the platform to promote ISIS ideology and recruit others to join ISIS and come to the center he allegedly attempted to establish in New Mexico.”
Two Texas men, Kristopher Matthews and Jaylin Molina said Wilson radicalized them, adding that “without Wilson’s influence, they would never have committed the crimes.” Both Matthews and Molina pled guilty to conspiring to provide material support to ISIS.
The DOJ wrote that “When Matthews and Molina were arrested, Wilson allegedly instructed online platform members to destroy evidence of their use of the group. Matthews and Molina were sentenced in July 2022 to 20 years and 18 years in prison, respectively.”
The report notes that if Wilson is convicted, “he faces up to 20 years in prison for the charge of attempting to provide material support and 20 years for attempting to impede an official proceeding.”
PHOTO CAPTION: Views of the site of a massacre by the Islamic State and mass grave of Ezidis in Shingal (Sinjar) in summer of 2019 as field fires approach the location. Via Wikimedia Commons.