Indian-American ISIS supporter sentenced to 5 years for lying in attempt to join US military

A 28-year-old Indian-American, who was raised Hindu before converting to Islam, has been sentenced to five years in jail for passport fraud and making false statements in his application to join the US military.

Shivam Patel, a supporter of the Islamic State terror group, told an FBI undercover employee that he wanted to commit jihad, the US Justice Department said.

The Williamsburg, Virginia man was sentenced yesterday to five years in prison for passport fraud and making false statements in his application to join the US military, it said in a press release.

Patel was also ordered to pay USD 4,000 in fines in connection with two counts of making false statements during his military application process, The Virginian-Pilot reported.

According to court documents and prosecutors, the newspaper said Patel was raised Hindu before converting to Islam several years ago.

According to court documents, Patel, who has a degree in criminal justice from Virginia State University, travelled to China in July 2016 to teach English. While there, he grew displeased with how that country treated Muslims.

His employer arranged for Patel to fly back to Virginia in August, 2016, but, instead, Patel traveled to Jordan, where he was arrested a few days later for unspecified reasons. Court documents said Patel told taxi drivers and others in Jordan that he supported the Islamic State.

Patel told an undercover employee and a confidential source that he wanted to join a "Muslim army" and commit jihad.

He explained he went to Jordan in part to find like-minded Muslims. He said he wanted to do something "bigger, better, and more purposeful."
Judge Davis said Patel's case was more serious than the typical false statement cases filed in federal court. He said Patel's attempt to join the military was "clearly some reason for concern."