American Joshua Ray Van Haften Accused Of Trying To Support ISIS
A Madison, Wisconsin, man, Joshua Ray Van Haften, has been charged with trying to provide support to Islamic State fighters in Iraq or Syria, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
Reuters reported the 34-year-old got as far as Turkey when he attempted to join ISIS, or ISIL, militants but was caught and flown back to the United States. Joshua Ray Van Haften was arrested at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Wednesday night and was supposed to come back to Madison to appear in federal court on Thursday morning.
Prosecutors claim Joshua Ray Van Haften left the United States for Turkey on August 26, 2014. When he arrived in Turkey, he talked with friends and other Islamic State supporters on Facebook and other social networking websites. In one message, prosecutors allege that Van Haften told an old roommate he would “attack” Turkey if the country attacked ISIS.
“Turkey is looking like it is divided at the moment about attacking ISIS, which if they do, I’m gonna attack them.”
Joshua shortly thereafter described why he was still in Turkey and not elsewhere fighting with ISIS militants.
“I was about to cross to Syria… but I didn’t make it,” Joshua Ray Van Haften explained, according to prosecutors. “Hopefully soon though…. I’m tired of this life man.”
According to NBC News, Assistant U.S. Attorney General John Carlin stated why the arrest was so important in a press release.
“Stemming the flow of foreign fighters to Iraq and Syria and holding accountable those who attempt to provide material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations remains a top priority for the National Security Division,” he explained.
Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Shields, Jr. of the FBI’s Milwaukee Division also understood the importance of Joshua Ray Van Haften’s arrest.
“This arrest underscores the importance of our JTTF law enforcement partnerships to bring those to justice who provide support and resources to terrorist organizations such as ISIL. We hope this arrest will serve as a deterrent for others who may be terrorist sympathizers here in Wisconsin, across the nation or abroad: they will be held accountable for support of terrorism against our citizens and our international partners.”
If Joshua Ray Van Haften is convicted of trying to provide material support and resources to Islamic State militants, he could face up to 15 years in prison. Van Haften’s lawyer could not be reached or located for immediate comment, according to Reuters and NBC News.
[Photo by Dane County Sheriff’s Office/Reuters]
