Man arrested at Richmond airport on terrorism charges
A Northern Virginia man allegedly en route to Syria to join the Islamic State was arrested on Jan. 15 at the Richmond International Airport on terrorism charges, according to the Department of Justice.
The DOJ reported 28-year-old Joseph Hassan Farrokh was arrested at RIC and has been charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to a terrorist organization. Farrokh, a U.S. citizen, had cleared the airport’s TSA security checkpoint prior to being apprehended by FBI agents at his gate.
Mahmoud Amin Mohamed Elhassan, 25, who officials say drove Farrokh to Richmond, was also arrested on terrorism charges in Woodbridge. Elhassan, who is a legal U.S. resident from Jordan, has been charged as Farrokh accomplice. Both men reside in Woodbridge.
Farrokh purchased a plane ticket on Dec. 21 from Richmond to Chicago, where he would then board a separate flight to Jordan and from there travel to Syria, according to an FBI special agent’s affidavit in the DOJ’s criminal complaint.
Elhassan introduced Farrokh to an FBI informant who he believed was a Jihadist and could advise Farrokh on how to join ISIS, according to the DOJ. In total, three FBI informants posed as Jihadist during the investigation.
The FBI informant who Elhassan introduced to Farrokh had previously agreed to become an informant for the FBI to reduce sentencing for a separate criminal charge, according to the complaint.
Farrokh and Elhassan could face 20 years in prison if found guilty. An initial hearing is scheduled for Jan 19.
The FBI, DOJ and Airport Police declined to comment.
Staff Writer, Andrew Crider
Andrew is a junior economics major who has written for student newspapers since he was in high school. Andrew is interested in political history, aviation, photography and running. He has a tendency to refer to his peers, coworkers and bosses as “ma’am” or “sir,” but is getting better about referring to his friends at the CT by their first names instead. // Facebook