California man pleads guilty to supporting ISIS after plotting attack on alleged IDF soldier

A 34-year-old California man, Ammaad Akhtar, pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to ISIS after plotting to kill a man he believed to be an IDF soldier. He communicated with an FBI undercover agent, provided weapons and cash, and faces up to 20 years in prison.

A California man pleaded guilty on Friday to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State terrorist organization (ISIS) after plotting to kill a man he suspected to be an IDF soldier. Ammaad Akhtar, 34, was arrested in June 2025 following a months-long FBI investigation. According to the criminal complaint, between February and June 2025, Akhtar communicated with an FBI undercover agent he believed was an ISIS member, glorified violent jihad, and discussed plans to attack a Jewish man he believed to be an IDF soldier. He also provided the agent with $400 cash, two loaded guns, and six magazines of ammunition. The FBI determined that the intended target was not an IDF soldier. Akhtar faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, with sentencing scheduled for February 2027.