SPRINGFIELD, Va. — A 35-year-old man from Springfield was sentenced Wednesday to more than 30 years in federal prison after being convicted of funneling money to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), including funding prison escapes and supporting terrorist operations.
Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa was sentenced to 364 months following his December conviction on five terrorism-related charges. According to court records, from October 2019 through October 2022, Chhipa raised and transferred over $185,000 in cryptocurrency to ISIS members operating in Syria.
Prosecutors said Chhipa solicited donations through various social media platforms, collected funds through both digital transfers and in-person pickups, and then converted the funds to cryptocurrency. He routed the money through intermediaries in Turkey, where it was smuggled into Syria to support ISIS fighters and facilitate the escape of female ISIS members from prison camps.
Chhipa’s primary co-conspirator was an ISIS operative based in Syria who used the funds to support terrorist operations, including attacks and prison breaks. Authorities said the Springfield resident knowingly assisted the organization’s efforts to carry out violence abroad and potentially against U.S. interests.
“This defendant directly financed ISIS in its efforts to commit vile terrorist atrocities against innocent citizens in America and abroad,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement.
Key points
- Springfield man sentenced to 364 months for funding ISIS through cryptocurrency
- Over $185,000 was sent to support prison escapes and terrorist activity
- Chhipa was convicted on five federal terrorism-related counts in December
FBI Director Kash Patel said the case represents a clear example of how financial support plays a critical role in enabling terrorism. “Whether you are a fighter or send money, these activities are illegal and against the national security interests of the United States,” Patel stated.
U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia condemned Chhipa’s actions, saying they were “unconscionable” given that they occurred from within a nation built on the principles of individual freedom.
The investigation revealed that Chhipa used encrypted messaging apps and pseudonymous profiles to disguise his identity and coordinate the transfers. Authorities were able to track and document each step through digital forensics and international cooperation.
Chhipa’s sentencing concludes a years-long investigation into his efforts to support ISIS, which has been designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. government since 2014.
The Springfield resident was convicted of one count of conspiracy and four counts of providing and attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.