Feds Arrest North Carolina Man for Conspiring to Support ISIS

CLEVELAND, OH — Erick Jamal Hendricks, 35, tried to recruit people to train together and conduct terrorist attacks in the United States on behalf of ISIS, according to a criminal complaint unsealed today in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Ohio.

Hendricks was arrested in North Carolina Thursday morning without incident after allegedly contacting several people through social media. One of those people was a man in Ohio who pledged his allegiance to ISIS on social media, and attempted to purchase an AK-47 and ammunition from an undercover law enforcement officer. He also made statements expressing interest in conducting attacks in the United States, according to the complaint.

Feds say that Hendricks told the man that he “needed people” and wanted to meet in person; that there were several “brothers” located in Texas and Mexico; that he was attempting to “get brothers to meet face to face;” and that he wanted “to get brothers to train together.”

Hendricks also tested the man's religious knowledge and commitment, inquiring about his willingness to commit “jihad,” to die as a “martyr” and his desire to enter “jannah” (paradise).

“This case serves as yet another stark reminder that we have supporters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant that reside in the United States, like Mr. Hendricks, that are willing to inspire others to commit violent acts against innocent citizens,” said Cleveland FBI Special Agent Stephen Anthony. “We must all – law enforcement and community members alike – do our part to identify and hold accountable those that support known terrorist organizations. The FBI and our many partners will continue to be vigilant and disrupt those who wish to commit terrorism on our soil.”

Hendricks allegedly told another person that his goal was to create a sleeper cell to be trained and housed at a secure compound that would conduct attacks in the United States.

He mentioned that potential targets included military members whose information had been released by ISIS and the woman who organized the “Draw Prophet Mohammad contest,” and he claimed to have 10 members signed up for his group, according to allegations in the complaint.

The feds also say that in April 2015, Hendricks used social media to contact Elton Simpson, who along with Nadir Hamid Soofi launched the failed attack on the "First Annual Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest" in Garland, Texas.

Simpson and Soofi opened fire, wounding a security guard, before Garland police returned fire and killed both Simpson and Soofi.

According to the complaint, Hendricks also connected the undercover agent with Simpson via social media; communicated with the undercover agent about the contest in Garland; and directed the agent to go to the contest.

Hendricks allegedly said: “If you see that pig (meaning the organizer of the contest) make your ‘voice’ heard against her.”

According to the complaint, he also asked the undercover agent a series of questions related to security at the event, including: “How big is the gathering?” “How many ppl?” “How many police/agents?” “Do you see feds there?’ “Do you see snipers?” and “How many media?” Shortly thereafter, Simpson and Soofi committed the attack on the cartoon drawing contest.

Hendricks faces a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in prison if convicted.