New Jersey Resident Accused of Providing Support to ISIS, Planning Attack on Synagogue
A 22-year-old Wayne, N.J., man has been charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS after federal authorities said he discussed attacking places of worship and purchased technology to help the terrorist group evade detection.
Mohamed Sagha, from Passaic County, appeared in federal court and was ordered detained following his arrest on charges of attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Jersey.
Court documents say Sagha participated in online chat groups with ISIS supporters from December 2025 to June 2026, where members discussed potential attacks in the United States, including on places of worship.
In October 2025, Sagha met a confidential human source (CHS) online whom he believed was an ISIS member. During their conversations, he expressed interest in assisting an attack on a place of worship and said he was considering carrying out his own attack on either a National Guard facility or a Jewish place of worship. He shared images and videos of both potential targets, saying they were near his Wayne home.
Throughout their exchanges, the confidential human source portrayed himself as an ISIS member, sharing messages and images that suggested he was operating in ISIS-controlled areas of Syria. Among the photos were images of the CHS riding in the back of a truck with an ISIS flag and posing beside a vehicle covered with the flag while carrying what appeared to be an AK-47-style rifle.
In response, Sagha repeatedly stated that he wanted to join ISIS territory and, in early March 2026, unsuccessfully attempted to travel there.
Between May 31 and June 2, 2026, Sagha purchased a virtual private network (VPN) service and sent it to the confidential source, whom he believed was an ISIS fighter. He also explained how to use the VPN to conceal online activity and mask locations and identities.
“As alleged, the defendant sought to support ISIS and expressed interest in violence directed at targets within the United States, including places of worship,” U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer said.
Sagha made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda D. Wettre, and was ordered to be detained.
If convicted, Sagha faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a term of life of supervised release.
