A federal jury has convicted Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, a Springfield resident, on charges of providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). The verdict was delivered on December 13 in Alexandria, Virginia. ISIS is recognized by the United States Secretary of State as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

Evidence presented at trial revealed that between October 2019 and October 2022, Chhipa sent funds to female ISIS members in Syria. These funds were used for various purposes including facilitating prison escapes and supporting ISIS fighters. Chhipa reportedly raised money through social media, collected it both electronically and in person, converted it to cryptocurrency, and transferred it to Turkey where it was smuggled into Syria.

Chhipa's main accomplice was identified as a British-born ISIS member residing in Syria who also participated in raising funds for terrorist activities.

Throughout the conspiracy, Chhipa transferred over $185,000 in cryptocurrency. He was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization and four counts of providing and attempting to provide such support.

The sentencing is scheduled for May 5, 2025. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment; however, sentences are often less than the maximum after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The announcement was made by Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; and David Sundberg, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office following acceptance of the verdict by U.S. District Judge David J. Novak.

Prosecuting attorneys include Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony T. Aminoff and Amanda St. Cyr from the Eastern District of Virginia along with Trial Attorneys Andrea Broach and Andrew John Dixon from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

Further details can be accessed via the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia or through PACER by searching Case No. 1:23-cr-97.