SW News: The US Department of Justice on Tuesday announced that a man in Pennsylvania was sentenced to more than 17 years of imprisonment in federal prison for trying to provide material support to ISIS. Mustafa Mousab Alowemer, 24, of Pittsburgh had pleaded guilty in the Western District of Pennsylvania on Sept. 16, 2021, of plotting to plant a bomb in a church, inspired by the teachings of the Islamic State outfit.

“Alowemer admitted to planning a deadly bombing of a Pittsburgh church in the name of ISIS,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The National Security Division was created to protect the nation from terrorist threats and we remain vigilant against those who would plot violent attacks on US soil in furtherance of an extreme ideology,” Olsen continued.

As per court documents, Alowemer planned to attack a church located on the north side of Pittsburgh using an explosive device. According to the website of the Department of Justice, the intention behind the plan was to support the cause of ISIS and to attract the attention of other ISIS supporters and together with the support of other members, work for ISIS by committing similar acts in the US.

Alowemer also contemplated planting a bomb in a “Nigerian church” to “take revenge for our [ISIS] brothers in Nigeria.” He was caught with the help of the Pittsburgh Joint Terrorism Task Force. “The defendant’s plan to bomb a Pittsburgh church and risk death or injury to residents in the area in the name of ISIS was thwarted by the extraordinary work of the Pittsburgh Joint Terrorism Task Force,” said Attorney Cindy K. Chung for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

“Our office will continue to hold accountable individuals who threaten the safety of our communities,” Chung added.