WASHINGTON, D.C. – On December 13, 2024, a jury convicted a Virginia man for charges related to aiding the terrorist group, ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham).

According to a Department of Justice (DOJ) media release, Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, 35, of Springfield, Virginia, sent funds to members of ISIS to finance the escape of female members from prison camps and to support ISIS fighters.

According to the DOJ, Chhipa raised money on various social media accounts and received funds via electronic transfer. He would also travel hundreds of miles to collect money by hand.

Once in possession of the funds, Chhipa would convert the money to cryptocurrency and send it to Turkey, where it was then smuggled to ISIS members in Syria.

Between October 2019 to October 2022, Chhipa sent more than $185,000 in cryptocurrency to ISIS.

Last week, a jury found Chhipa guilty of one count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization and four counts of providing and attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. He now faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count.

A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for May 5, 2025. A federal judge will determine Chhipa’s fate after considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The FBI continues to investigate the case.