On September 29, 2025, a 23-year-old Minnesota man, Abdisatar Ahmed Hassan, stood before U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank in St. Paul and pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State group—commonly known as ISIS. It was a moment that punctuated months of investigation, surveillance, and deep concern among law enforcement officials, who say Hassan’s actions and intentions were clear and dangerous.
According to the Associated Press and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota, Hassan’s arrest earlier this year followed a series of alarming discoveries. Prosecutors allege that Hassan not only praised ISIS online but also twice attempted to travel from Minnesota to Somalia in December 2024, with the intent of joining the militant group and fighting on its behalf. Both attempts were thwarted—first by a lack of proper travel documents, and then by federal questioning at the airport. Still, the FBI had been tipped off beforehand, thanks to Hassan’s social media activity, and closely monitored his movements throughout.
Hassan’s online persona left little doubt about his sympathies. Investigators say he expressed admiration for the perpetrator of the January 1, 2025, truck attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, which killed 14 people. The attacker, who was killed by police, had driven a truck bearing the ISIS flag. Hassan, for his part, referred to the terrorist as “the legend that killed Americans,” according to evidence cited by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. In February, he posted several videos to social media, including one in which he drove while holding a homemade black ISIS flag—an act that FBI agents witnessed firsthand the day before his arrest.
“There is no margin for error when it comes to terrorism,” Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said in a statement released Monday. “Hassan flew the ISIS flag, venerated attacks on the homeland, and wanted to kill Americans. We are not taking chances. We will not let Minnesota become a safe haven for would-be terrorists.”
Hassan’s radicalization, authorities say, was not limited to public displays of support. When agents seized his cellphones, they uncovered text exchanges with an apparent ISIS recruiter—whom Hassan referred to as “uncle” and “commander”—as well as a trove of pdf files, some in Arabic, containing instruction manuals on how to make explosives such as C-4, urea nitrate, hexamine, HMTD, and ammunition. One December 2024 text message read, “I will become ISIS straight away.”
His search history, too, raised red flags: terms like “Somalia weapons,” “gun ranges,” “isis areas,” “urea fertilizer,” and “isis supporter America” appeared among his recent online queries. The FBI’s Special Agent in Charge, Alvin M. Winston Sr., credited the agency’s agents and analysts for their vigilance, noting, “Keeping Minnesota safe from those who support Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations like ISIS and Al Shabab is a top priority of the FBI. ISIS and Al Shabab represent a clear threat to all Americans. We will identify and investigate anyone foolish enough to provide support to these terrorists.”
Hassan, a naturalized U.S. citizen, has remained in custody since his arrest. The plea agreement struck between his defense team and federal prosecutors stipulates that the government will not seek a sentence longer than 17 years, though the defense is free to recommend a lesser term. Ultimately, Judge Frank will determine Hassan’s fate at a sentencing hearing yet to be scheduled.
The case is just the latest in a string of efforts by Minnesotans to join ISIS, reflecting a troubling trend that has drawn national attention. In 2016, nine Minnesotans were sentenced on charges of conspiring to join the group, while another who actually fought for ISIS in Iraq received a 10-year prison term last year. Thousands of fighters from dozens of countries have attempted to join ISIS since its rise, but the persistence of recruitment efforts—even within the United States—remains a pressing concern for law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Hassan’s journey toward radicalization, as pieced together by investigators, appears to have been both deliberate and determined. After being denied boarding on his first attempted flight to Somalia due to improper documents, he returned for a second try. This time, federal officers intercepted him at the airport and questioned him extensively, though he was not detained at that time. It wasn’t until February—after further evidence surfaced, including the videos of Hassan with the ISIS flag and incriminating text messages—that authorities moved to arrest him.
Prosecutors say Hassan’s communications with the ISIS recruiter were especially troubling. The recruiter, referred to as “uncle” and “commander” in Hassan’s texts, appeared to be actively encouraging Hassan’s efforts to join the group and provided guidance on how to proceed. The instruction manuals found on Hassan’s devices indicated a willingness to engage in violence, not just abroad but potentially on U.S. soil. The FBI’s surveillance and swift action, officials say, may have prevented further escalation.
While Hassan’s case is notable for its details and the apparent seriousness of his intentions, it also fits a broader pattern seen in recent years. The rise of social media has made it easier for terrorist organizations to reach disaffected individuals, offering a sense of purpose and belonging—even as they promote violence and extremism. Law enforcement agencies have responded by investing heavily in monitoring online activity, building partnerships with tech companies, and developing new tools to identify and disrupt potential threats before they materialize.
Still, the challenges are formidable. Balancing civil liberties with the need for security is an ongoing debate, and the risk of so-called “lone wolf” actors—individuals who self-radicalize and act independently—remains high. In Minnesota, where a number of individuals have been drawn to ISIS and other extremist groups, community leaders and law enforcement have worked to build trust and share information, hoping to identify warning signs early and intervene where possible.
For now, Abdisatar Ahmed Hassan’s fate rests with the court. As he awaits sentencing, his case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by extremist ideology, the vigilance required to counter it, and the complex web of factors that can lead an individual from online rhetoric to concrete action. As Acting U.S. Attorney Thompson put it, “We are not taking chances.”
The outcome of Hassan’s sentencing—and the continued efforts of law enforcement—will be watched closely, both in Minnesota and across the nation, as the fight against terrorism evolves in an increasingly connected world.
