Document Type
Report
Publication Date
4-2025
Abstract
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is a transnational Salafi-jihadist terrorist group, designated as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) by the U.S. Department of State .1 Since 2014, 257 individuals have been charged with ISIS related crimes in U.S. federal courts.
Since ISIS is a designated FTO, most cases involving ISIS-related activity are resolved using the material support to terrorism statute.2 However, prosecutors may decide to use non-terrorism-related charges – such as illegal drug use or gun offenses – when prosecuting ISIS-related cases to potentially disrupt a fast-moving mobilization to violence, or due to lack of specific actions by an individual to trigger terrorism charges.
This research brief seeks to analyze the exceptions to the traditional terrorism offense – those who are charged with non-terrorism- related charges for terrorism-related activity.
Recommended Citation
Hughes, Seamus; Buxton, Brooke; Vitro, Callie; Carmichael, Camden; Harms, Mackenzie; and Doctor, Austin C., "U.S. Federal Cases Against ISIS Using Non-Terrorism-Related Charges" (2025). Reports, Projects, and Research. 121.
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/ncitereportsresearch/121