A former research coordinator at the Mayo Clinic and Pakistani doctor, Muhammad Masood, who aimed to join the Islamic State terrorist group to participate in the conflict in Syria and indicated a desire to carry out attacks within the United States, received an 18-year prison sentence on Friday.

Having pleaded guilty a year prior to the charges of attempting to provide support to a foreign terrorist organization, Masood’s actions included an unsuccessful attempt to travel to Syria through Jordan in 2020.

Subsequently, he agreed to fly from Minneapolis to Los Angeles, intending to connect with an individual he believed would aid his journey to IS-controlled regions via cargo ship, the Associated Press has reported.

However, on March 19, 2020, FBI agents apprehended him at the Minneapolis airport during the check-in process for his flight.

The sentencing was delivered by U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson on Friday in St. Paul.

Written by staff