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Va. man accused of trying to join Islamic State ordered held Va. man accused of trying to join Islamic State is ordered held
(35 minutes later)
A Northern Virginia man accused of trying to fly overseas to join up with the Islamic State terrorist organization will be held without bond until a court appearance next month, a federal magistrate judge ruled Thursday. A Northern Virginia man accused of trying to fly overseas to join the Islamic State terrorist organization will be held without bond until a court appearance next month, a federal magistrate judge ruled Thursday.
Deciding there were no conditions that could both keep the community safe and stop Joseph Hassan Farrokh from absconding, Magistrate Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff ruled that the 28-year-old must remain in federal custody. Prosecutors had urged as much though, notably, a probation and pretrial services report had recommended Farrokh be allowed out on home confinement and GPS monitoring, among other conditions. Deciding there were no conditions that could keep the community safe and stop Joseph Hassan Farrokh from absconding, Magistrate Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff ruled that the man must remain in federal custody. Prosecutors had urged as much though, notably, a probation and pretrial services report had recommended that Farrokh be allowed out on home confinement and GPS monitoring, among other conditions.
Farrokh’s parents and wife declined to comment after the hearing. His attorney, Patrick Anderson, said it was a “very emotional time for the family,” and he was still himself exploring the case. Farrokh’s parents and wife declined to comment after the hearing. His attorney, Patrick Anderson, said it was a “very emotional time for the family,” and he was still exploring the case.
[Virginia man accused of planning to join the Islamic State in Syria][Virginia man accused of planning to join the Islamic State in Syria]
“He’s a very young man, and we’re still obviously working through what happened here,” Anderson said.“He’s a very young man, and we’re still obviously working through what happened here,” Anderson said.
Farrokh was arrested Friday at the Richmond International Airport, where authorities said he intended to fly out on the first leg of his journey. He is charged with attempting to provide material support to terrorists. Farrokh, 28, was arrested Jan. 15 at Richmond International Airport, where authorities said he intended to fly out on the first leg of a planned journey to Syria. He is charged with attempting to provide material support to terrorists.
Federal authorities also charged another man, 25-year-old Mahmoud Amin Mohamed Elhassan, with aiding and abetting Farrokh’s plot. He is alleged to have known Farrokh’s intentions and given Farrokh a ride to Richmond. Federal authorities also charged Mahmoud Amin Mohamed Elhassan, 25, with aiding and abetting Farrokh’s plot. He is alleged to have known Farrokh’s intentions and given Farrokh a ride to Richmond.
Prosecutors, defense attorneys and even Nachmanoff revealed several new details about Farrokh at the hearing — including that he had been married for less than a year and his wife was four months pregnant. Anderson said Farrokh, who was born in Pennsylvania and whose family lives in Stafford County, had a modest criminal record, including charges for DWI and possession of a switchblade years ago. Prosecutors, defense attorneys and Nachmanoff revealed several new details about Farrokh at the hearing: he has been married for less than a year and his wife is pregnant. Anderson said Farrokh, who was born in Pennsylvania and whose family lives in Stafford County, has a criminal record, including charges for DWI and possession of a switchblade years ago.
[Attorney: Alleged terrorism plot involving Virginia men created by the government][Attorney: Alleged terrorism plot involving Virginia men created by the government]
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis Fitzpatrick argued Farrokh was both a danger to the community and a flight risk. He asserted that Farrokh had lied to his family about his travel plans and had said explicitly that he wanted to “kill for Allah’s sake.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis Fitzpatrick argued that Farrokh was both a danger to the community and a flight risk. He asserted that Farrokh had lied to his family about his travel plans and had said explicitly that he wanted to “kill for Allah’s sake.”
Farrokh is next scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 1. Farrokh is next scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 1.