Detroit Resident Sentenced for Supporting ISIS
A resident of Detroit has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for attempting to support ISIS through cryptocurrency transactions, illustrating ongoing federal initiatives to combat the financing of terrorism via digital means. Jibreel Pratt entered a guilty plea in July, admitting to two charges connected to the concealment of cryptocurrency donations aimed at the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham, as stated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
“Mr. Pratt is the latest traitor who—in his own words—operated ‘in the shadows,'” remarked U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. during a recent announcement. “We remain vigilant because he may not be the last.”
Details of Pratt’s Activities
Pratt’s illegal activities began in February 2023 when he reached out to an individual he thought was affiliated with ISIS. Unknown to him, this person was actually a confidential informant working with federal authorities. Such a source plays a crucial role by providing intelligence to law enforcement in a discreet manner. Following his contact, Pratt publicly affirmed his allegiance to ISIS by recording a video message directed at the group’s leader.
Over the subsequent months, Pratt made Bitcoin transfers to the informant, mistakenly believing these funds would facilitate the travel of ISIS recruits or aid individuals planning violent acts on behalf of the terrorist organization. He also provided the informant with comprehensive handwritten notes outlining his operational ideas, which included sophisticated plans for drone warfare, deploying remote-controlled vehicles with explosives, establishing intelligence networks, and fortifying air defense systems.
To evade law enforcement detection, he used a VPN for his Bitcoin transactions and applied encryption tools to obscure transaction specifics and access keys.
Federal Response and Broader Implications
FBI Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan emphasized the significance of the sentencing, stating,
“This ruling should convey a stern warning to those contemplating financial support for foreign terrorist organizations: the FBI is active and resolute in preventing such actions within the United States.”
Pratt’s case is part of a broader federal crackdown on the use of cryptocurrency for extremist funding. In a related instance from May, another man in Virginia was sentenced to 30 years in prison for transferring over $185,000 in cryptocurrency to ISIS operatives in Syria between 2019 and 2022. Additionally, in March, the Justice Department confiscated more than $200,000 in cryptocurrency linked to Hamas, part of a larger network believed to have laundered over $1.5 million since late 2024.
