ISIS Backer’s Outburst Earns Harsh Prison Sentence

A Virginia man received a lengthy prison sentence Wednesday after launching into a defiant outburst at his sentencing hearing, a stark display following his conviction for financing the Islamic State terror organization. Mohammed Chhipa, 35, of Springfield, was sentenced to 30 years and four months in prison after being found guilty of a cryptocurrency scheme that funneled $185,000 to ISIS, according to the Justice Department.

Prosecutors detailed how, from October 2019 to October 2022, Chhipa actively collected and transmitted funds to female ISIS members in Syria. This support facilitated the escape of ISIS members from prison camps and provided resources to ISIS fighters. Chhipa utilized online social media accounts to solicit donations, accepting electronic transfers and even traveling hundreds of miles to collect cash, which he then converted into cryptocurrency and smuggled through Turkey to reach ISIS operatives in Syria.

The sentencing took a contentious turn when Chhipa, previously issued a warning by the FBI in 2019 after initial identification as an ISIS sympathizer, attempted to air grievances. His legal team presented him as remorseful and in need of help, but Chhipa instead condemned the government as “evil and oppressive,” and lamented the fate of his wife, Allison Fluke-Ekren, currently serving a 20-year sentence for leading an all-female ISIS battalion responsible for training women and girls in armed combat. He audibly proclaimed his innocence despite the evidence presented.

U.S. District Judge David Novak swiftly curtailed Chhipa’s tirade, stating firmly, “This is not a forum for you to complain about the United States of America,” before delivering the sentence.

This case underscores the ongoing, complex challenge of countering ISIS financing networks. While military efforts have targeted leadership and capabilities – including the reported killing of an ISIS leader by the Trump administration in March – the flow of funds remains a critical vulnerability. Chhipa’s actions demonstrate the lengths to which individuals will go to support the organization, even utilizing modern financial tools like cryptocurrency to circumvent traditional security measures. The severity of his sentence reflects the seriousness with which the U.S. government views such support, and serves as a warning to others who might consider providing material assistance to terrorist groups. It’s a sobering reminder that the fight against ISIS, while evolving, is far from over.