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Rochester man pleads guilty to terrorism

It could be the first plea of its kind in the U.S. fight against terrorism. A man who ran a pizza shop and convenience store in Rochester pleaded guilty Thursday. He admitted to helping ISIS.

Mufid A. Elfgeeh could get up to 30 years in prison for his plea of guilty on two of four federal charges: attempting to provide material support to a known terrorist organization, ISIS. Through an Arabic translator, Elfgeeh told Judge Elizabeth Wolford, of the federal district court for western New York, that he tried to recruit three men, send money, and bought two handguns, to shoot returning American soldiers according to prosecutors. The 2014 purchase of those weapons resulted in his arrest by an FBI Rochester Terrorism task force.

"Mufid Elfgeeh failed because law enforcement used its best weapon – unity,” said Special Agent in Charge Cohen of the FBI’s Buffalo Division in a statement.  “Our success in this case is directly linked to the notion that we are stronger and more formidable working in concert with our community than standing alone." 

Elfgeeh used social media to share his support for violent jihad and the current leader of ISIS. He had three Twitter and 23 Facebook accounts under various names and used What's App - a popular phone messaging app.

In court, Elfgeeh said beginning in late 2013 he tried to convince two men to go fight for ISIS. He had a contact in Yemen, a known jihadist, who could get them from Turkey into an ISIS safe house in Syria. If they proved trustworthy the men could join the fight. They even purchased flights to Turkey for June of 2014. It turned out the men were working for the FBI.

He said beginning in late 2013 he tried to convince two men to go fight for ISIS. He had a contact in Yemen, a known jihadist, who could get them from Turkey into an ISIS safe house in Syria. If they proved trustworthy the men could join the fight. They even purchased flights to Turkey for June of 2014. It turned out the men were working for the FBI.

In a statement, the U.S. Attorney for western New York Bill Hochul said, “One of the first ISIL recruiters ever captured in this country stands convicted of terrorism related charges. While our case against this defendant will conclude with a very long jail sentence, our ongoing efforts to defeat ISIL and other terrorist groups will continue until all are brought to justice."

Elfgeeh's plea agreement calls for a 22 1/2 year prison term, forfeiture of the weapons, with no appeal. He'll be on parole if he ever gets released from prison. Judge Wolford scheduled sentencing for March 17, 2016.