Court Case

U.S. v. Ramadan

August 2017 (Updated May 7, 2020)
Ypsilanti, MI
Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS)

Yousef Ramadan from Ypsilanti, MI, faced firearms charges following his removal from a Royal Jordanian Airlines flight in August 2017 at Detroit Metropolitan Airport after investigators found body armor, ammunition pouches, rifle scopes, knives and other paramilitary equipment in his checked baggage. Ramadan, his wife and four children were flying on one-way tickets to Jordan. Investigators searched the electronic storage devices and found videos of Ramadan shooting pistols and rifles, including a sniper rifle. They also found photos and videos of pipe bombs and propaganda videos and photos related to the Islamic State, including videos of fighters wearing black masks similar to those found in Ramadan's luggage, according to court records. On May 7, 2020, a federal judge refused to release Ramadan who argued he was at high risk of getting COVID-19. U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts rejected the request from Ramadan after a hearing that included evidence Ramadan lied about health issues that would leave him susceptible to contracting the virus.

Case Updates

2020-05-07 | Judge Won't Free FBI Terror Suspect During COVID-19

A federal judge refused Thursday to release an Ypsilanti man arrested by the FBI's counter-terrorism team who argued he was at high risk of getting COVID-19. U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts rejected the request from Yousef Ramadan, 31, after a hearing Wednesday that included evidence Ramadan lied about health issues that would leave him susceptible to contracting the virus. Ramadan was removed from a Royal Jordanian Airlines flight in August 2017 at Detroit Metropolitan Airport after investigators searched his checked baggage and found body armor, ammunition pouches, rifle scopes, knives and other paramilitary equipment.

Ramadan, his wife and four children were flying on one-way tickets to Jordan.

Investigators searched the electronic storage devices and found videos of Ramadan shooting pistols and rifles, including a sniper rifle. They also found photos and videos of pipe bombs and propaganda videos and photos related to the Islamic State, including videos of fighters wearing black masks similar to those found in Ramadan's luggage, according to court records.

Case Documents