North Carolina Man Arrested for Allegedly Planning to Join ISIS in Morocco

North Carolina Man Charged with Providing Material Support to ISIS

Alexander Justin White, a 29-year-old man from Durham, North Carolina, has been charged with providing material support to ISIS. According to federal court documents, White allegedly planned to travel to Morocco in December 2024 to join the foreign terrorist organization.

White allegedly used social media, primarily Facebook and encrypted messaging apps, to express his support for ISIS and jihad. He communicated with other ISIS supporters about his desire to join the FTO, using the pseudonym "Sulaiman Al-Amriki."

During online conversations with an undercover FBI agent, White openly discussed his intention to travel overseas and join ISIS. He expressed awareness of ISIS's designation as a foreign terrorist organization and took steps to avoid detection by law enforcement.

White allegedly told the undercover agent that he felt excitement at the prospect of traveling for ISIS. He also claimed to have multiple firearms and knowledge of how to use them. A photo included in the report shows White firing a gun at a range in July 2024.

White and the undercover agent communicated online for months, discussing plans to travel to Morocco and provide support to ISIS. White booked a flight from Raleigh to Rabat, Morocco, on December 4, 2024, and followed through with his plans.

Federal agents arrested White on December 4, 2024, after he checked into his flight and attempted to board the plane. Authorities seized nearly $7,000 from White and confiscated multiple firearms from his apartment in Durham.

White's arrest comes after FBI Director Christopher Wray highlighted the threat posed by ISIS supporters who are inspired "from afar." Wray noted that these individuals can radicalize quickly and pose a significant danger despite using relatively simple methods of attack.

White's public defender, Chris Locascio, declined to comment on the pending case.