Three U.S. Citizens Arrested for Allegedly Supporting ISIS

Three American men face federal charges for allegedly providing over $2,000 in cryptocurrency to ISIS, funding drones and weapons used to kill U.S. service members overseas.

The Defendants

Federal authorities arrested the following individuals on Friday:

Bisaam Ghafoor, 21, of Leawood, Kansas
Elias Shamsaldeen, 21, of Porterville, California
Bereen Dzayee, 25, of Lakeside, California

The criminal complaint was filed in the District of Kansas. It is not immediately clear whether the three have retained attorneys.

Alleged Conduct

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the defendants collectively provided over $2,000 in cryptocurrency to an individual they believed was a member of ISIS. The funds were allegedly used for ISIS drones, rocket-propelled grenades, and other weaponry that killed U.S. forces overseas.

The defendants communicated from February 2025 to June 2026, using Discord and other platforms to discuss support for ISIS, including pledging allegiance to ISIS and its leader.

Specific Allegations

Ghafoor is reported to have said it would be "sick" if his name were on a drone used in an attack on Americans, expressed a desire to behead a female soldier, and stated, "I wish I could kill 300,000,000 Americans."
Shamsaldeen allegedly provided financial resources for purchasing drones intended to attack U.S. service members and expressed a desire to stab a U.S. service member.
Dzayee suggested targeting U.S. Special Forces.

Investigation

The case was investigated by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force in Kansas City, San Diego, and Sacramento.

Statements from Officials

"Today's arrest … makes clear our commitment to taking down terrorist networks — anywhere."
— Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche

"These subjects allegedly swore allegiance to ISIS, plotted multiple attacks, and even targeted U.S. service members — but this FBI stopped them cold."
— FBI Director Kash Patel