Bergen County Man Admits Conspiring To Support ISIL

By DANIEL HUBBARD (Patch Staff)

A Bergen County man admitted in court Wednesday to conspiring to go and fight for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a foreign terrorist organization, authorities announced.

Samuel Rahamin Topaz, 21 of Fort Lee, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization in Newark federal court, said U.S. attorney Paul J. Fishman. Topaz admitting saving up money to travel overseas to join ISIL and left the United States on May 5 to join the group.

Related: ISIL-Related Raid Results In New Jersey Man’s Arrest

Topaz admitted that, prior to being arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force June 17, he discussed his plan with Nader Saadeh, Alaa Saadeh, and Munther Omar Saleh, Fishman said. They all admitted that, at various times, they wanted to join ISIL, Fishman said. They also admitted watching ISIL-related videos, some of which showed the execution of non-Muslims and people regarded at apostates from Islam.

Topaz admitted that they all planned to travel overseas separately, meet up with Saadeh, and travel together to join ISIL, Fishman said.

Topaz’s alleged conspirators are in federal custody and are being prosecuted, authorities said. Nader Saadeh and Alaa Sasdeh have been charged with conspiring to provide material to support ISIL in separate criminal complaints filed by Fishman’s office.

Saleh has been indicted on terrorism-related charges, Fishman said.

The conspiracy charge against Topaz carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 18.