A Hanover, Maryland man has pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to provide material support to ISIS. Michael Sam Teekaye, Jr., 22, admitted to trying to join and fight for the foreign terrorist organization.
The plea was announced by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, along with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul of the FBI's Baltimore Field Office.
According to court documents, between March and April 2023, Teekaye had several conversations with an undercover officer (UCO). During these discussions, he expressed his desire to travel to Africa and join ISIS as a fighter. He also told the UCO that if he could not travel abroad, his backup plan was to carry out an attack in the United States targeting Jews and supporters of Israel. Teekaye said he researched local buildings supporting Israel and considered attacking people there.
In May and June 2024, Teekaye bought ammunition and practiced at a shooting range in Severn, Maryland as part of what he described as "training." In July 2024, he tried unsuccessfully to purchase a Kalashnikov K-9 9mm assault rifle because he was on probation from a state criminal case.
“Teekaye aspired to become an ISIS fighter to unleash attacks on the homeland. He took real-world steps to carry out a terrorist attack in Maryland, including attempting to purchase an assault rifle and researching locations where he could kill Jews and supporters of Israel,” Hayes said. “Thanks to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, we stopped Teekaye before he could harm anyone. There is no margin for error when it comes to terrorism.”
“Michael Teekaye spent years maliciously plotting to join ISIS and murder Americans. His evil plans failed thanks to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. Their swift action and coordination stopped Teekaye from carrying out his deadly plans against Americans,” Paul said. “The FBI remains steadfastly committed to protecting our nation.”
Between August and October 2024, Teekaye told the UCO about his communications with a Somali ISIS fighter regarding travel plans for joining ISIS in Somalia. He described an itinerary that included flying first from Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) through Istanbul after a layover in London before entering Ethiopia en route into Somalia. He shared screenshots showing an Ethiopian e-Visa obtained via contacts with ISIS members.
On October 10, Teekaye sent the UCO a photo of himself wearing a black mask while holding a large machete with the message: “Victory or shahada [i.e., martyrdom] … either you do it here or over there or both.” When asked if he was certain about joining ISIS on October 11, Teekaye replied that he was sure because “they are the only group that has the most true and sincere intentions.”
FBI agents arrested him at BWI on October 14 after checking in for his flight overseas. Following his arrest, authorities say Teekaye made statements threatening continued violence upon release from prison: “I’m just gonna get out in 20 years and I’m just gonna do it here... Jihad will never stop... I’ll come and I’ll kill your soldiers...” During this time, officials report that Teekaye kicked and spat on one of the arresting agents.
Teekaye faces up to 20 years in federal prison along with lifetime supervised release when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson on July 8 at 10 a.m.
U.S. Attorney Hayes praised law enforcement agencies involved in investigating this case—including multiple FBI field offices—and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Hoffman as well as Trial Attorney Elisa Poteat from DOJ’s National Security Division Counterterrorism Section for their work prosecuting this matter.
For more information about community resources or priorities from the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office visit www.justice.gov/usao-md or https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
