Man Trying To Join ISIS Arrested At Seattle-Tacoma Airport: FBI

SEATTLE — A Seattle man arrested at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Friday was heading overseas with plans to join ISIS, federal prosecutors alleged Tuesday. Prosecutors charged Elvin Williams, 20, with one count of "providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization," according to court filings.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said Williams was arrested by federal agents at a Seattle departure gate Friday before he could board a plane bound for Cairo via Amsterdam.

"As alleged, Williams was determined to support ISIS either by traveling overseas to join and fight with the terrorist organization, or by conducting an attack here in the United States," said John Demers, an assistant attorney general in the Department of Justice's National Security Division. "The FBI was just as determined to stop him, and he was intercepted as he tried to make his way abroad."

According to court filings, Williams was born in Santa Rosa, Calif., and first came to the FBI's attention in October 2017 after school administrators reported him saying he wanted to join ISIS and praising a terrorist attack at a concert in the United Kingdom. At that time, the FBI interviewed his mother, who told them he had expressed a desire to join the terrorist group, investigators said. Williams' mother told investigators she had cut off internet access to the home to prevent him from accessing pro-ISIS websites.

Three years later, in November 2020, the FBI said a member of a Seattle area mosque approached the FBI with concerns about Williams' behavior. The person said members had been looking after Williams and attempting to de-radicalize him, helping him find a place to live and secure tuition for college. According to the FBI, members of the mosque made it clear to Williams that he would have to abandon his support of ISIS to receive their help, but he did not.

"This defendant proved persistent in his efforts to join ISIS — speaking with enthusiasm about acts of horrific bloodshed in the Middle East and here at home," said Tessa Gorman, acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington. "I want to commend those citizens who contact law enforcement — including his family and faith community — expressing concerns about the defendant's radicalization."

The FBI opened an investigation and interviewed Williams' mother several times. Investigators said his mother reported Williams was verbally and physically abusive in the home and spoke often of plans to travel to join ISIS overseas. Investigators also interviewed a former roommate who said Williams frequently talked favorably about ISIS in the house.

As the investigation progress, the FBI said Williams spoke to several confidential informants, including two posing as ISIS recruiters, about participating in attacks overseas or in Seattle. Investigators said he also made remarks in several group chats expressing support for acts of terrorism. In a conversation with one source in late April, the FBI said Williams discussed the possibility of an attack on Seattle's pride parade.

In early May, investigators said Williams received his passport and discussed his plans to leave the country for Egypt at the end of the month. On May 28, the FBI said agents arrested Williams at 1 p.m. just after he presented a boarding pass and attempted to board the international flight.

If convicted, federal prosecutors said Williams could serve up to 20 years in federal prison.

Read the full federal charging document via the Department of Justice.