Doha – A 29-year-old American citizen from Durham, North Carolina, was arrested on December 4, 2024, at Raleigh-Durham International Airport while attempting to board a flight to Morocco, according to US federal authorities.
Alexander Justin White, who used the online alias “Sulaiman Al-Amriki” (meaning Sulaiman the American), was charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization.
According to court documents unsealed on January 15, White had planned to use Morocco as a transit point to join ISIS operations in Africa.
Federal prosecutors revealed that White purchased a round-trip ticket to Rabat through Paris, allegedly to avoid raising suspicions about his true intentions.
The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force investigation uncovered that between May and October 2024, White had been actively posting pro-ISIS content on Facebook, including propaganda videos and references to well-known ISIS supporters and scholars.
US Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. stated that White engaged in financial transactions with refugee camps that authorities say are known fronts for funneling money to ISIS members.
During conversations with an undercover FBI agent, White expressed his desire to become a “mujahid” (holy warrior) and discussed his regret about missed opportunities to join the militant group during previous travels, including a 2018 visit to Egypt.
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When questioned by the undercover agent about potentially fighting against US forces, White allegedly responded, “If it was a family member, I would still fight back with them… There is no US troops love for homeland or any of this thing.”
Prior to his attempted departure, White made several preparations, including selling his firearms and purchasing combat medical supplies.
Records show he had previously acquired several pistols and rifles in 2019 and had conducted training with these weapons.
The investigation involved collaboration between US law enforcement agencies and Morocco’s General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST).
Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina, emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation, stating, “The threats we face are bigger than any one law enforcement or intelligence agency can tackle.”
If convicted, White faces up to 20 years in prison. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorneys Gabe Diaz and Jason Kellhofer, along with Trial Attorney David Andrew Sigler from the Department of Justice’s Counterterrorism Section.
A federal public defender appointed to represent White has declined to comment on the pending case.
