Federal grand jury indicts member of FBI's most wanted list on charges of terrorism

A federal grand jury on Tuesday issued an indictment charging Liban Haji Mohamed with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to al-Shabaab, the Somalian terrorist organization. Mohamed has been on the FBI’s “Most Wanted Terrorists” list since 2015.

Mohamed, a 34 year-old Somali-born naturalized American citizen, is accused of leaving the country in 2012 with the intent to join al-Shabaab in East Africa.

According to court documents, Mohamed allegedly attempted to recruit an undercover FBI agent to make the trip to Somalia with the intent of providing combat training to al-Shabaab fighters. Mohamed also stands accused of plotting to use his own social media skills to improve the terror group’s propaganda machine, which they use to recruit Westerners.

If convicted, Mohamed faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, though the typical sentence for a federal crime is generally less than the maximum penalty.

Al-Shabaab is a terrorist group based in Somalia. Members of the group have claimed responsibility for many bombings in Somalia and Uganda.

In addition to the FBI’s most wanted list, Mohamed was added to Interpol’s list of “red notice” fugitives in 2012.