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Leawood man among 3 arrested on charges of funding ISIS, plotting attacks on U.S.Leawood man among 3 arrested on charges of funding ISIS, plotting attacks on U.S.troops KANSAS CITY, Kan.(KCTV) - A Leawood man is among three U.S.citizens arrested by the FBI for allegedly funding ISIS to kill American troops overseas.The arrests were made in Kansas City, Kansas; San Diego; and Sacramento, California, the U.S.Department of Justice announced on Friday, June 5.Who Was Arrested Federal prosecutors said they filed charges in the District of Kansas against: - Bissam Ghafoor, 21, of Leawood, Kansas - Elias Shamsaldeen, 21, of Porterville, California - Bareen Dzayee, 25, of Lakeside, California Investigators indicated that all three are U.S.citizens and face charges of conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.If convicted, federal law dictates that each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison.How the Investigation Began Court records show the case started in early March 2025, when an anonymous tipster reported a social media user posting pro-ISIS content online.The posts included a claim to have “pledged Bayat,” or an oath of allegiance to ISIS, according to investigators.Through legal processes, the FBI identified the user as Ghafoor.Federal agents said they later identified Shamsaldeen in March 2025 and Dzayee in January 2026 as active participants in the same pro-ISIS social media group.The FBI noted that the group discussed weapons, explosives and encouraged violence in the name of ISIS.A confidential human source with the FBI since 2017 was later introduced into the group and communicated directly with all three defendants, according to court records.What Investigators Say They Did The criminal complaint stated that the three men communicated through Discord, voice calls and other messaging platforms beginning as early as February 2025.Investigators said they pledged allegiance to ISIS and its leader, exchanged messages promoting violence and collectively spent more than $2,000 to individuals they believed were active ISIS members.The FBI noted that the money was intended to purchase rocket-propelled grenades and drones to attack U.S.service members deployed overseas.Bissam Ghafoor Investigators alleged that: - In May 2026, Ghafoor met an FBI undercover employee at a Kansas City mosque and handed over a wax-sealed envelope containing $250 cash intended for ISIS.He later provided an additional $200.- Ghafoor told the UCE the money was going to a “munasir” (supporter) group in Syria operating in support of ISIS.- After the money was sent, Ghafoor texted the UCE: “BRO THANK YOU BARAKALLAH FEEK” and “You fed a mujahid wallah.” - Ghafoor later told the UCE: “They are confirmed to be closing it; we really got away with this.Committed grand treason and literally got away with it.” - Ghafoor said it would be “sick” if his name were written on a drone used in an attack on Americans.The CHS later sent him a photo showing an RPG with Arabic writing on the projectile that translates to his full name, purportedly to be used in an attack overseas to kill U.S.servicemembers.- In messages, Ghafoor asked the CHS, “How many do you hope to kill?” He said he has always wanted to kill a female soldier by beheading and added, “I wish I could kill 300,000,000 Americans.” - Ghafoor also said, “If 20 Americans were killed, the event would make the news,” and discussed plans to attack U.S.Green Berets.- In September 2025, Ghafoor told the CHS he planned to get a job to buy an AK-47 and ammunition to train for fighting with ISIS.Elias Shamsaldeen Court documents claim that: - In May 2026, Shamsaldeen successfully sent $1.590 through a financial app to an FBI undercover account, believing the money would fund ISIS drone attacks on U.S.military personnel overseas.- FBI agents conducted surveillance on Shamsaldeen as he drove more than 90 miles from his home to a gas station with a cryptocurrency ATM in an attempt to send funds without being traced.- In August 2025, Shamsaldeen told the CHS he wanted to “do something” and “no longer wanted to just talk about it.” - In October 2025, Shamsaldeen publicly pledged allegiance to the commander of ISIS.- In earlier messages, Shamsaldeen expressed a desire to stab and injure a U.S.service member he encountered at a business.He also told the group his mother had encouraged her children to grow up and kill Americans.Bareen Dzayee FBI agents said that: - Dzayee coordinated with Ghafoor to send money to the CHS, suggesting the transaction be called “charity” - telling the group, “In my head it’s charity.” - Dzayee suggested that U.S.Special Forces - specifically Green Berets - should be among the targets.- Dzayee and Ghafoor acknowledged the money transfer was “bigger” than their existing fraud scheme and both referred to it as “treason.” - Dzayee attempted to send funds via a cryptocurrency ATM but encountered account issues.What Officials Are Saying Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche credited the FBI’s work with preventing further bloodshed.“This administration has put terrorists, cartels, and gangs on notice,” Blanche said.“Today’s arrest of three individuals who allegedly conspired to provide material support to ISIS makes clear our commitment to taking down terrorist networks — anywhere.Thanks to the vigilance of the FBI, their alleged scheme was dismantled and further acts of violence against U.S.service members were prevented.” FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau stopped the suspects before they could act.“These subjects allegedly swore allegiance to ISIS, plotted multiple attacks, and even targeted U.S.service members — but this FBI stopped them cold,” Patel added.“The success of this op shows once again this FBI’s continued record of stopping terrorist attacks before they happen, simply the best way to defend the homeland — and shows we’ll stop at nothing to defend Americans from those who seek to do us harm.I want to thank our teams in Kansas City, San Diego, Sacramento, Newark, and Richmond, and the Counterterrorism Division for their outstanding efforts on this investigation and commitment to the mission.” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A.Eisenberg said the defendants’ goal was to fund the killing of Americans serving abroad.“According to the complaint, these defendants conspired to support ISIS, a ruthless terrorist organization, with the intent, among other things, to fund plans to kill American servicemembers abroad,” Eisenberg noted.“Thanks to the work of the FBI, their plans to betray their country in the gravest way lies in ruin.Instead, these defendants will face justice in our courts.” U.S.Attorney Ryan A.Kriegshauser, whose district is prosecuting the case, said the arrests underscore the threat posed by homegrown extremists and the need for coordinated law enforcement.“For years, the Department of Justice has been encouraging Americans that if they see suspicious activity, they should report it to law enforcement.That’s because long gone are the days where terrorist threats and attacks are incidents that only take place far away on foreign soil,” Kriegshauser concluded.“Unfortunately, we must face the reality of bad actors living within our borders clandestinely conspiring on ways to create fear and havoc.The only way to root out and prevent terrorism plots is through collaboration among all levels of law enforcement and across jurisdictions.Collaboration is which is what facilitated the arrests of these three suspects.” What Happens Next The complaint was signed by a U.S.Magistrate Judge on June 4.The three men are expected to make initial court appearances; however, a date has not yet been set.The case is being prosecuted in the District of Kansas.Copyright 2026 KCTV.All rights reserved.Join The Conversation We want to hear what you think.Create a free account to share your thoughts.Read our community guidelines here.