Three men arrested in alleged ISIS support and attack planning case

Federal prosecutors filed a criminal complaint in U.S. District Court in Kansas charging three men with alleged support for ISIS and discussion of an attack on American Special Forces personnel. The complaint states the men communicated for more than a year about plans that included leaving the United States to join the group and acquiring drones, grenades, and rocket-propelled grenades.

One defendant allegedly asked an FBI source posing as an ISIS member how many people he hoped to kill and said he wished he could kill 300,000,000 Americans.

Investigation timeline The probe began in May 2025 when a confidential source encountered the group in an online forum. Court papers say the men believed the source was an active ISIS member and discussed sending money through cryptocurrency. One defendant allegedly handed cash to an undercover FBI employee at a Kansas City mosque, while another sent $1,590 that he believed would support ISIS.

An image of three rocket-propelled grenades and firearms was allegedly shared within the group.

Arrests and local reaction Agents arrested the men in October 2025.

Neighbors in one defendant's Lakeside, California, neighborhood described tactical units surrounding a home and said the scene was unexpected in the residential area. Pentagon officials have not confirmed the military status of the Navy sailor among the defendants.

Court documents allege the group discussed writing one defendant's name on a drone and considered posting images of weapons on social media.