New Mexico Corrections Department
ISIS

A New Mexico man was held on federal charges based on accusations that he provided aid to the Islamic terror group, ISIS, which seeks Israel’s destruction.

By United with Israel Staff

On Friday, a U.S. magistrate judge ruled that a New Mexico man named Herman Leyvoune Wilson must be detained on federal charges for allegedly attempting to recruit fighters for the ISIS terror group, the Albuquerque Journal reported.

Wilson allegedly sought to train ISIS operatives to carry out missions in both in the United States and abroad.

“An indictment handed [down]Tuesday by a federal grand jury alleges that Herman Leyvoune Wilson provided material support and resources to the foreign terrorist organization,” stated the Journal.

“Other federal documents say he radicalized others, attempted to set up a training camp in Albuquerque for ISIS supporters and drove a confidential informant to Kirtland Air Force Base, describing it as a potential target,” added the report from New Mexico.

Wilson used the alias “Bilal Mu’Min Abdullah” and also allegedly tried to thwart the investigation by destroying online evidence of his activities, according to the federal indictment.

According to federal authorities, “[Wilson] attempted to establish a mosque called the ‘Islamic State Center’ in New Mexico that would teach ISIS ideology, provide training and tactical maneuvers and martial arts, and serve as a safe haven for individuals preparing to travel and fight on behalf of ISIS in the United States and abroad.”

“Wilson also allegedly used the online platform to promote the Islamic Center and find potential like-minded individuals to join the center,” said the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The U.S. Secretary of State’s Office designated ISIS, which stands for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, as a a foreign terrorist organization.

ISIS has brutalized local populations in the Middle East, carrying out horrific public executions and torture. The terror group has also inspired attacks on civilians in the West and recruited Muslims from Western countries to fight in the Middle East.

Like other Islamic terror groups, ISIS seeks Israel’s destruction.

From January 2020 and November 2021, Wilson reportedly used the encrypted messaging service Telegram to solicit recruits and “discuss terrorist attacks in the U.S. and overseas,” added the Journal report.

Two of Wilson’s recruits were arrested in September 2020 and pleaded guilty in Texas to providing material support to ISIS.

The motion in that cases states that Kristopher Matthews and Jaylin Molina used Telegram for “detailed planning for jihadist attacks and sharing of instructions on how to make and use explosive devices.”

The Journal reported that Wilson was previously convicted of several violent crimes, including armed robbery and kidnapping, and served over 10 years in prison.

Wilson is accused of driving an informant to locations to photograph of an Albuquerque-area National Guard facility and of holding meetings in Albuquerque to “rally pro-ISIS individuals to jihad, further support, and possibly martyrdom,” states the motion in the case, and people at the meetings discussed “attacking law enforcement, acquiring firearms, killing imams who do not support ISIS, and inspiring others to wage jihad.”

The Journal report indicated that “Wilson also provided combat training to the informant in preparation for a planned trip to Egypt and drove the informant to a bus station to begin the trip.”