California Man Pleads Guilty to ISIS Support Plot Against Suspected Israeli Soldier

A California man entered a guilty plea on Friday for attempting to provide material support to a designated terrorist organization after communicating with an undercover FBI persona about attacking a man he believed served in the Israeli military. Ammaad Akhtar, 34, admitted to the charge in a federal court proceeding. He is scheduled for sentencing in February 2027.

Federal investigators say Akhtar's interactions with the fake ISIS contact began in February 2025. Over the following months, he discussed traveling abroad to fight, his ownership of firearms, and plans for a terrorist attack using homemade explosives. Akhtar repeatedly expressed admiration for ISIS fighters during these exchanges.

Akhtar told the undercover persona he prayed to find ways to destroy nonbelievers. In a message dated March 13, 2025, he stated, "A lot of Muslims in America are too scared to talk about jihad." He added that he disliked being around them because they did not want to form a group to attack nonbelievers. Akhtar owned three firearms and a knife, sending photos of the weapons to the contact. He said he carried a gun and knife regularly to prepare for potential conflict.

The discussion of a specific target began in April 2025. Akhtar told the persona he had driven past a synagogue and noticed a man he had seen in the area on Saturdays. He followed the man to learn where he lived and asked how to handle him once the home was located. Akhtar said he was considering killing the man in a location that would appear to be a random act of violence. Court documents indicate that FBI investigators later determined the man does not appear to be an Israeli soldier.

By May 2025, Akhtar had shifted to planning a larger strike. He told the contact he intended to infiltrate a populated event hosted by nonbelievers by dressing like the attendees and blending in. He requested instructions on how to build an explosive device, writing that he needed help to "make a boom" alongside an explosion emoji. Akhtar had not yet selected a target for that attack.

The investigation culminated on June 23, 2025, when Akhtar met in person with an undercover FBI agent he believed was affiliated with ISIS. Akhtar handed the agent binoculars, $400 in cash, two loaded guns, and six magazines of ammunition. He was arrested the following day. Akhtar faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The charge covers conduct between February 2025 and June 2025. Akhtar is scheduled to be sentenced in February 2027.