A Maryland man was sentenced on Wednesday for attempting to join and fight for ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO).
Michael Sam Teekay Jr, 22, was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by lifetime supervised release, for attempting to provide material support to an FTO.
Teekaye revealed his plan to join and fight for ISIS to an undercover officer (UCO) between March and April 2023. He also told the UCO his “plan B” was to carry out an attack in the US against Jews and People who support Israel.
He said he had researched buildings close to him that support Israel and had thought about how to “gun down members or anyone involved.”
US Attorney for the District of Maryland, Kelly O'Hayes said "Mr Teekaye sought to support a foreign terrorist organization that has committed unspeakable acts of violence and took real-world steps to carry out a terrorist attack in Maryland."
"Today’s sentence underscores that those who seek to aid terrorist organizations will be identified, prosecuted, and held fully accountable."
The Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Baltimore Field Office, Jimmy Paul, added that "this sentencing reinforces the gravity of Michael Teekaye's crimes. Undoubtedly, lives were saved because law enforcement thwarted Teekaye’s plan to join ISIS and murder Americans."
Teekaye's plan to join ISIS
In mid-2024, Teekaye purchased ammunition and range time in Maryland, which he told a UCO was part of his “training” for ISIS, and he then tried to purchase a Kalashnikov assault rifle but was denied due to probation from a state criminal case.
Teekaye then told the UCO he had engaged with a Somali ISIS fighter and had made plans to travel to Somalia to join ISIS. He sent the UCO screenshots of his travel itinerary and the visas he needed for the trip.
On October 10, 2024, Teekaye sent the UCO a photo of himself in a black mask, armed with a large machete, captioned: “victory or shahada [martyrdom] … either you do it here or over there or both.”
The UCO asked Teekaye if he was “sure” he wanted to join ISIS, and he responded that he “was sure because he had done a lot of research,” and “they are the only group that has the most true and sincere intentions.”
He was arrested by FBI agents at BWI on October 14, 2024.
After his arrest, Teekaye said, “I’m just gonna get out in 20 years, and I’m just gonna do it here. Okay? It will never stop. Jihad will never stop. I’ll just do it here then, when I get out… You think 20 years is something? I’ll be like 40 when I get out, then I’ll just do it. I don’t care. It will never stop. Jihad will never stop. I’ll come, and I’ll kill your soldiers. I’ll kill you.”