A Michigan man, Aws Mohammed Naser, has been convicted by a federal jury on charges of attempting to provide material support to ISIS and possessing a destructive device. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr., alongside Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson from the FBI's Detroit Division.
Naser, 37, formerly of Westland, Michigan, faced a five-week trial where the jury found him guilty of trying to support ISIS with personnel and services while knowing its designation as a terrorist organization. Additionally, he was convicted for being a felon in possession of a destructive device. The jury reached their verdict after approximately six hours of deliberation.
U.S. Attorney Gorgon commented on the conviction: “Defendant Aws Mohammed Naser is a bombmaker and self-avowed ‘son of the Islamic State’—a vicious foreign terrorist organization hell-bent on murdering Americans and destroying our way of life." He added that Naser attempted to fight for ISIS overseas but turned his efforts inward when thwarted.
Special Agent Cheyvoryea Gibson emphasized the FBI's commitment to national security: “The conviction of Aws Mohammed Naser highlights the FBI’s strong commitment to protecting the United States from those who wish to harm our citizens.”
During the trial, evidence showed that Naser became radicalized and posted extremist content online. He developed ties with Russell Dennison, an aspiring preacher who later joined Al Nusrah Front in Syria. Despite attempts to join Dennison abroad, Naser was repeatedly denied boarding flights due to his activities.
After serving time for armed robbery, Naser focused on supporting ISIS domestically through social media and experimenting with explosives. In 2017, an FBI search revealed components for an explosive device at his residence.
Naser could face up to 20 years in prison for providing material support to a terrorist organization and up to 15 years for possessing a destructive device. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on guidelines and statutory factors.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Saima Mohsin, U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr., Assistant U.S Attorney Hank Moon for the Eastern District of Michigan, and Trial Attorney Dmitriy Slavin from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
