Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Join and Assist ISIS

State of MD - A Hanover, Maryland man entered a guilty plea today in federal court regarding charges connected to his attempt to join and fight for ISIS. Michael Sam Teekaye, Jr., 22, pled guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

The plea was announced by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, and Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul of the FBI Baltimore Field Office.

According to the plea agreement, Teekaye engaged in multiple conversations with an undercover officer between March and April 2023. During these discussions, Teekaye expressed his intent to travel to Africa to join ISIS as a fighter. He also disclosed a secondary plan to conduct attacks within the United States targeting Jews and supporters of Israel.

Teekaye admitted to researching local buildings associated with these groups and considering how to "gun down key members or anyone involved."

Teekaye took specific steps to prepare for these actions. In May and June 2024, he purchased ammunition and practiced at a shooting range in Severn, Maryland, which he described to the undercover officer as his "training." In July 2024, he attempted to purchase a Kalashnikov K-9 9mm assault rifle. This transaction was denied because Teekaye was on probation in a state criminal case at the time.

U.S. Attorney Hayes emphasized the severity of the threat. "Teekaye aspired to become an ISIS fighter to unleash attacks on the homeland. He took real-world steps to carry out a terrorist attack in Maryland, including attempting to purchase an assault rifle and researching locations where he could kill Jews and supporters of Israel," Hayes said. "Thanks to the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, we stopped Teekaye before he could harm anyone. There is no margin for error when it comes to terrorism."

"Michael Teekaye spent years maliciously plotting to join ISIS and murder Americans. His evil plans failed thanks to the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force. Their swift action and coordination stopped Teekaye from carrying out his deadly plans against Americans," Paul said. "The FBI remains steadfastly committed to protecting our nation."

Between August and October 2024, Teekaye communicated with a Somali ISIS fighter regarding travel logistics. The plan involved flying to Turkey, traveling to Ethiopia, and crossing the border into Somalia. Teekaye obtained an Ethiopian e-Visa and received airline tickets.

He shared his itinerary with the undercover officer, which indicated a departure from Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) on October 14, with flights to Istanbul via London.

On October 10, Teekaye sent a photograph of himself holding a large machete and wearing a mask, stating, "Victory or shahada ... either you do it here or over there or both." When questioned by the undercover officer about his commitment, Teekaye affirmed he was sure, citing that he had done "a lot of research" and believed ISIS had "the most true and sincere intentions."

FBI agents arrested Teekaye at BWI on October 14 after he had checked in and passed through security. Following his arrest, Teekaye kicked and spat on an agent and made several statements.

"I'm just gonna get out in 20 years and I'm just gonna do it here. Okay? Okay? It will never stop. Jihad will never stop. I'll just do it here then, when I get out. . . . You think 20 years is something? I'll be like 40 when I get out, then I'll just do it. I don't care. It will never stop. Jihad will never stop. I'll come and I'll kill your soldiers. I'll kill you, and I'll kill . . . ."

Teekaye faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and lifetime supervised release. U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson has scheduled sentencing for Wednesday, July 8, at 10 a.m.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Baltimore Field Office and the Joint Terrorism Task Force, with assistance from the FBI's Newark and Richmond Field Offices and the New York Police Department.