Court Case

USA v. Al-Azhari, Muhammad Momtaz

May 2020 (Updated July 13, 2023)
Tampa, FL
Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS)

[MDFL] A criminal complaint charged Muhammed Momtaz Al-Azhari with attempting to provide material support or resources to ISIS. Al-Azhari was an ISIS supporter who planned and attempted to carry out an attack on behalf of that terrorist organization. Al-Azhari, who has a criminal history that includes prior terrorism charges in Saudi Arabia, attempted to purchase multiple firearms over the course of the investigation, before acquiring a Glock pistol and a silencer. He also expressed admiration for Pulse nightclub shooter Omar Mateen and spoke of his desire to carry out a similar mass casualty shooting. Additionally, Al-Azhari researched and scouted potential targets in the Tampa area, including Honeymoon Island. He also rehearsed portions of an attack and the statements that he would make during or in connection with such an attack. In June 2020, Al-Azhari was indicted for attempting to provide material support to ISIS and firearms offenses. In January 2022, it was ruled that Al-Azhari is mentally incompetent to stand trial for now. In February 2023, Al-Azhari pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support or resources to ISIS. In July 2023, Al-Azhari was sentenced to 18 years in prison for providing material support to ISIS.

Case Updates

2023-07-13 | Judge Sentences Florida Man to 18 Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS

On July 13, 2023, Muhammad Momtaz Al-Azhari was sentenced to 18 years in prison for providing material support to ISIS.

2023-02-24 | Tampa Man Pleads Guilty To Attempting To Provide Material Support To ISIS

Muhammed Momtaz Al-Azhari pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support or resources to ISIS. Pursuant to the terms of his plea agreement, Al-Azhari and the United States have agreed to the imposition of a stipulated sentence of 18 years in federal prison. Al-Azhari has also agreed to forfeit certain assets that are traceable to proceeds of the offense, as well as various items of property, including gear involved in, or intended to be used to commit the offense. According to the plea agreement, Al-Azhari is a United States citizen who spent most of his life abroad and came to embrace dogmatic, Islamist/Salafist beliefs. In or around 2015, Al-Azhari was convicted of advocating for Jaysh al-Islam, an armed Islamist group then participating in the Syrian conflict in Saudi Arabia. Al-Azhari spent approximately three years in Saudi Arabian custody, after which he was removed to the United States. Upon Al-Azhari's arrival to the United States, in or around December 2018, the FBI began investigating him for potentially providing material support to ISIS. In or around April 2020, Al-Azhari began planning to carry out an attack in support of ISIS. Around the same time, Al-Azhari began to acquire multiple firearms. He also researched and scouted potential locations in the Tampa Bay area. Since at least May 2019, Al-Azhari consumed ISIS propaganda and spoke favorably about ISIS, to whom he eventually pledged his allegiance through a bay'ah (an Islamic oath of allegiance). Furthermore, Al-Azhari spoke about avenging the United States' imprisonment of Muslims, including ISIS fighters, and the United States' military actions in the Middle East. In addition, Al-Azhari rehearsed parts of the plan described above, including practicing statements that he would make during, or in connection with, an attack in support of ISIS.

2020-06-26 | Tampa Man Indicted for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS and Firearms Offenses

On Friday, Muhammed Momtaz Al-Azhari (23, Tampa) was indicted for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham ("ISIS"), and with violations of the National Firearms Act. According to court documents, Al-Azhari was an ISIS supporter who planned and attempted to carry out an attack on behalf of the terrorist organization. Since at least 2019, Al-Azhari has consumed ISIS propaganda and spoken favorably about ISIS. Al-Azhari, who has a criminal history that includes prior terrorism charges in Saudi Arabia, acquired multiple firearms, including a Glock pistol and silencer. Al-Azhari also expressed admiration for Pulse nightclub shooter Omar Mateen and spoke of his desire to carry out a similar mass shooting. Additionally, Al-Azhari researched and scouted potential targets in the Tampa area, including beaches and the FBI Tampa Field Office. He also rehearsed portions of an attack and statements that he would make during or in connection with such an attack. FBI agents arrested Al-Azhari on May 24, 2020, after he took possession of weapons, including a Glock handgun and silencer, to be used in an attack.

Case Documents