ISIS Sympathizer, Former Bergen Man, Sentenced To 10 Years

A former Bergen County man was sentenced to 10 years after admitting that he conspired to provide material support to the Islamic State and to set off homemade bombs throughout New York City, including Times Square.

Nader Saadeh, 23, admitted prior to being arrested Aug. 10 he planned to travel overseas to join the Islamic State with his brother, Alaa Saadeh, Samuel Rahamin Topaz, Munther Omar Saleh, and Fareed Mumuni. The men admitted watching Islamic State-related videos, some of which depicted the execution of individuals the Islamic State considers enemies.

Saadeh departed the United States May 5 and traveled to ISIL-controlled territory to fight on behalf of the Islamic State. Saadeh also admitted that Saleh provided him with a contact who would faciliate his travel from Turkey to Syria.

“ISIS is a threat to the people of the United States, both here and abroad, and the National Security Division will aggressively investigate and prosecute all who seek aid it,” said Assistant Attorney General John C.Demers. “I applaud the dedication of the agents at the FBI and the Newark Joint Terrorism Task Force and the prosecutors here at the Department of Justice, who together thwarted the defendant’s attempt to fight for ISIS against the U.S. and its allies.”

Saleh also admitted Saadeh showed him drawings on how to make homemade bombs and discussed plans to carry out an attack in the Islamic State's name using homemade bombs throughout New York City, including Times Square, the World Trade Center, and the Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, in Queens.

Topaz and Alaa Saadeh pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide support the Islamic State. Saleh and Mumuni have been indicted on terrorism-related charges.

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