New details emerge in case of North Carolina man accused of trying to join ISIS
Jan 17, 2025
DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — New details emerged during a press conference Thursday in the case of a Durham man accused of trying to support and join ISIS.
The FBI said the investigation lasted about seven months, leading to 29-year-old Alexander Justin White's arrest in December as he was boarding a jet bridge at Raleigh Durham International Airport. Investigators believe he was a lone actor.
"Mr. White was literally stopped in his tracks," said Robert DeWitt with the FBI.
A 30-page criminal complaint accuses White, who also allegedly goes by the name "Sulaiman Al-Amriki" online, of making comments and posts on social media supporting ISIS.
The complaint has an image of an itinerary showing a flight to Paris with the eventual destination of Morocco on Dec. 5, 2024.
"The complaint alleges that Mr. White made or attempted to make some financial transactions in support of ISIS camps," U.S. Attorney Mike Easley said. "The complaint alleges that White communicated with multiple individuals about joining ISIS his intention to be a mujahadeen, Inshallah, which is an Arabic term, meaning to be someone who commits violent jihad or attacks against non-Muslims.
"When White was asked if he was okay killing members of the military or US citizens, the complaint alleges he stated if it was a family member, I would still fight back with them," Easley continued.
"We collaborated in this case with the Moroccan authorities," the U.S. Attorney said. "The Moroccan General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance provided insight and assistance as we built our case."
If convicted, White faces up to 20 years in prison.
"I want the public to know you may be the first to see someone mobilizing towards violence," Easley said. "Your son, your brother, your friend, or your neighbor. You may see it before we do. We ask you if you see someone sliding into a dangerous ideology, if you see someone mobilizing towards violence, speak up now."
CBS 17 visited the last known address for White on Thursday. No one answered the door when we knocked. White's family did not respond to requests for comment.