WAYNE TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Passaic County) — A Wayne man has been charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham, commonly known as ISIS, federal authorities announced Monday.
Mohamed Sagha, 22, was charged with one count of attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. He made his initial appearance in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda D. Wettre and was ordered detained.
According to court documents, Sagha participated in online chat groups between December 2025 and June 2026 where ISIS supporters discussed potential attacks on targets in the United States, including places of worship. Authorities said Sagha met a confidential human source online in October 2025 whom he believed to be an ISIS member.
Federal prosecutors allege Sagha expressed a desire to assist in an attack on a place of worship and discussed carrying out an attack of his own, possibly targeting a National Guard facility or a Jewish house of worship. Authorities said he shared images and videos of potential targets located near his residence in Wayne.
“As alleged, the defendant sought to support ISIS and expressed interest in violence directed at targets within the United States, including places of worship. Those who seek to advance the objectives of foreign terrorist organizations should expect a swift and coordinated response from federal law enforcement. This Office will continue working relentlessly with our law enforcement partners to identify, disrupt, and prosecute individuals who support terrorism and threaten the safety of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer.
According to prosecutors, the confidential source repeatedly portrayed himself as an ISIS fighter operating in Syria and shared photographs depicting ISIS flags and what appeared to be an assault rifle. Authorities allege Sagha repeatedly expressed a desire to travel to ISIS-controlled territory and made an unsuccessful attempt to do so in March 2026.
Investigators further allege that between May 31 and June 2, Sagha discussed obtaining a virtual private network, or VPN, for the confidential source and other ISIS members. Prosecutors said Sagha purchased a VPN, provided it to the source and explained how to use the technology, which can conceal online activity and communications.
“The defendant allegedly wanted to attack targets in the United States in support of ISIS and its hateful ideology, but the FBI detected and put a stop to his violent plans,” said Assistant Director Donald Holstead of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “This should be a stark reminder to the American people of the FBI’s resolve to pursue anyone who tries to harm Americans and provide material support to terrorist organizations, and we will work with our Justice Department partners to make sure they face justice.”
If convicted, Sagha faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and a lifetime term of supervised release.
