NJ man charged with attempting to support to ISIS, authorities say
Federal authorities also say Sagha repeatedly expressed a desire to travel to ISIS-controlled territory and made an unsuccessful attempt to do so in March 2026.
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A 22-year-old Wayne man has been charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS, federal authorities announced Monday.
Mohamed Sagha was ordered detained following his initial appearance in federal court, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
Prosecutors say that from December 2025 through June 2026, Sagha participated in online chat groups where ISIS supporters discussed potential attacks in the United States, including attacks on places of worship.
According to court documents, Sagha communicated with a "confidential human source" he believed was an ISIS member. During those conversations, authorities say Sagha expressed interest in assisting another chat group member with an attack on a place of worship and discussed carrying out his own attack, potentially targeting a National Guard facility or synagogue. Prosecutors said he shared images and videos of locations near his home in Wayne.
Federal authorities also say Sagha repeatedly expressed a desire to travel to ISIS-controlled territory and made an unsuccessful attempt to do so in March 2026.
The complaint further says that between May 31 and June 2, Sagha purchased a virtual private network, or VPN, for the confidential source and provided instructions on how to use it. Authorities said VPN technology can help conceal online activity and communications, which can assist terrorist organizations in avoiding detection.
The charge of attempting to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervised release.
