Arizona Man gets 30 Years in Prison for Supporting Terrorism

 First US trial involving a homeland terrorist attack

committed in the name of ISIL

By Doug G. Ware, UPI

Abdul Malik Abdul Kareem was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison on Wednesday, nearly a year after he was convicted on multiple terror-related charges, including providing material support to the Islamic State militant group. Abdul, 45, of Arizona, also supported two accomplices in their attack on an Islamic-themed art festival in 2015. Photo courtesy of Maricopa County (Ariz.) Sheriff's Office

Feb. 8 (UPI) -- A domestic terrorist who conspired to provide material support to the Islamic State militant group was sentenced Wednesday to 30 years in federal prison.

The U.S. Department of Justice said Abdul Malik Abdul Kareem of Arizona provided support to the terror group by plotting various attacks inside the United States -- including the 2015 shooting at the Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest in Texas in which a security guard was wounded.

Authorities say Abdul, beginning in 2014, worked with two accomplices in plotting attacks.

"Thanks to the response of brave law enforcement officers at the scene, no innocent lives were lost when [Abdul's accomplices] attacked the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas," acting Assistant Attorney General Mary McCord said in a statement. "The National Security Division will continue to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those who conspire with others to support foreign terrorist organizations and to commit acts of violence in our country."

Last year, Abdul was convicted on several terror charges, including conspiracy to transport firearms with the intent to commit murder, making false statements to the FBI and illegal possession of a firearm.

"Today's sentence, in the country's first trial involving a homeland terrorist attack committed in the name of ISIL, demonstrates the commitment of the United States to hold accountable any person who participates in or aids in any way acts of terrorism against our citizens," acting U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Strange said.

After completing his prison time, Abdul must submit to a lifetime of supervised release.

"Some people who do not believe in the American way of life are plotting to do us harm," FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael DeLeon said. "The protection of U.S. citizens and our communities remains the FBI's No. 1 priority."

Investigators said Abdul, 45, and his accomplices, Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi, considered attacking several potential targets -- including military bases, members of the U.S. armed forces, shopping centers and even Super Bowl XLIX, which was held in the Phoenix area in February 2015.

Three months after the Super Bowl passed, in May, Simpson and Soofi were shot dead by authorities after they started shooting outside the Texas art exhibit. Authorities said Abdul served as the mastermind of the attack and provided funding. A security guard was slightly injured.

The Islamic State later claimed credit for the plot, the first time the group has done so for an attack inside the United States.

Garland, TX

Accomplices Spent Months Helping Nice Truck Killer Prepare Attack – French Prosecutor

People walk past flowers left in tribute at a makeshift memorial to the victims of the Bastille Day truck attack near the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France, July 21, 2016 © Jean-Pierre Amet / Reuters

The man responsible for mowing down 84 people in Nice planned the attack in advance, and was aided by a tight-knit team of associates, who helped him sketch out his plan, and acquired weapons for him.

“He seems to have envisaged and developed his criminal plans several months before carrying them out,” said Paris prosecutor Francois Molins, speaking in a news briefing. “The investigation since the night of July 14 has kept moving forward and allowed us not only to confirm again the premeditated nature of [killer] Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel’s deadly act, but also to establish that he benefited from support and had accomplices in the preparation and carrying out of his criminal act.”

It seems to contradict his alleged life-style up to a couple weeks before the insanity. He certainly did not appear as a devout Muslim. Yet, here we have him doing insane jihad for the insane Mohammad. How many more non-radicalized Muslims are talking about massacring innocent civilians for the sake of their less than innocent 'prophet'?

Police have uncovered thousands of calls and messages between Lahouaiej Bouhlel, and five accomplices, after going through his social media accounts, laptop and phone records.

"Put 2,000 tons of metal in the truck, f**k the brakes, and I'll be watching," says one message sent to Lahouaiej Bouhlel in April.

Four men and one woman, aged between 22 and 40. have been arrested. Among the suspects are a Tunisian man (same nationality as the attacker), two French-Tunisians, an Albanian, and a French-Albanian woman.

The five will soon appear before a court, to be read their initial charges. Only one of the suspects has a significant crime record, and none were on a terrorist watch list.

Police findings appear to contradict initial claims that the attacker was a “lone wolf” and was “radicalized” quickly.

There are pro-jihadist messages dating back at least as far back as January 2015, in which one of the suspects writes, "I'm happy they brought the soldiers of Allah to finish the work," following the deadly attack on Charlie Hebdo magazine.

In the past year alone, Lahouaiej Bouhlel, had more than 1,270 conversations from his mobile with one of the men.