Court Case

USA v. Elhassani, Samantha Marie

August 2018 (Updated November 26, 2019)
Elkhart, IN
Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS)

[NDIN] Samantha Marie Elhassani (aka Samantha Sally), formerly of Elkhart, Indiana, was charged with providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). Elhassani is alleged to have procured tactical gear and provided funds to support two individuals to join ISIS. Elhassani has pleaded guilty to one count of terror financing.

Case Updates

2019-11-26 | Former Indiana Woman Pleads Guilty to Financing ISIS, Avoids January Trial

Samantha Elhassani pleaded guilty to one count of financing terrorism Nov. 25 in U.S. federal court in Hammond. Elhassani, 33, has been in federal custody since July 2018, when a military cargo transport plane brought her and her children to Gary from Syria. The children were placed with the Department of Child Services. She is scheduled to go on trial in Simon's courtroom on Jan. 6, charged with aiding ISIS. On Monday, Elhassani affirmed that when her husband, Moussa Elhassani, and his brother intended to join ISIS, she made three trips to Hong Kong between November 2014 and August 2015 transporting more than $30,000 in cash, gold and precious stones. Those assets were intended to be used by ISIS, she said. When asked if she disclosed the cash and gold to customs officials, Elhassani replied, "No." Elhassani previously pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to provide material support and aiding and abetting individuals in providing material support to the Islamic State.

Case Documents