Springfield resident convicted for sending over $185,000 to support ISIS operations
Springfield, Virginia – A federal jury in Virginia has convicted a Springfield man, Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, on multiple charges for his involvement in providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a group designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the U.S. Secretary of State. The conviction was handed down on December 13, following a thorough trial that revealed Chhipa’s active role in financing ISIS operations over several years.
Fundraising and Financial Support for ISIS
Court records and evidence presented at trial detailed how Chhipa, 35, engaged in illegal activities from October 2019 to October 2022. During this period, he collected and transferred money to female ISIS members in Syria, aiding the organization in several ways. This included financing prison escapes for ISIS-affiliated women, supporting ISIS fighters, and contributing to planned terrorist activities.
Chhipa coordinated much of his effort online, using various social media platforms to raise funds. He would receive donations through electronic transfers and even traveled hundreds of miles to personally collect cash. To conceal the transactions, Chhipa would convert the collected funds into cryptocurrency and send the money to intermediaries in Turkey. The funds were then smuggled into Syria and handed over to ISIS members.
His primary accomplice in the scheme was a British-born ISIS member based in Syria. This individual played a significant role in facilitating fundraising efforts for prison escapes, acts of terrorism, and support for ISIS militants.
Over the course of the conspiracy, Chhipa managed to send over $185,000 in cryptocurrency to benefit ISIS operations.
Guilty Verdict and Potential Sentencing
The jury found Chhipa guilty on five counts: 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 material support to ISIS. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, meaning Chhipa could face significant time behind bars.
His sentencing is scheduled for May 5, 2025, where a federal district court judge will determine the final sentence. While federal sentencing typically results in penalties less than the maximum allowed, the court will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and various statutory factors when making its decision.
Federal Authorities Announce Verdict
Following the verdict, U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen from the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and David Sundberg, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office, praised the efforts that led to Chhipa’s conviction.
“Providing financial resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization poses a direct threat to national security,” said Aber. “This conviction demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to dismantling networks that seek to fund and facilitate acts of terror.”
Prosecutors and Investigators
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony T. Aminoff and Amanda St. Cyr for the Eastern District of Virginia, along with Trial Attorneys Andrea Broach and Andrew John Dixon from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. The investigation was led by the FBI Washington Field Office, which worked meticulously to uncover Chhipa’s illegal financial activities.
The Impact of Financial Support for Terrorism
Chhipa’s conviction highlights the critical role that funding plays in supporting terrorist organizations. ISIS, which remains a significant global threat, relies on financial networks to support its fighters, facilitate prison escapes, and plan attacks. Efforts to disrupt these networks are a priority for law enforcement agencies worldwide.
The case also underscores the dangers of using cryptocurrency to facilitate illegal activities. While digital currencies offer anonymity, authorities are increasingly adept at tracing such transactions and holding offenders accountable.
The conviction of Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa sends a strong message about the U.S. government’s commitment to combatting terrorism and dismantling financial support systems for designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations. As the sentencing date approaches, federal authorities remain vigilant in their mission to ensure that individuals who aid and abet terrorism face the full weight of the law.
