Maryland Man Sentenced to 15 Years for ISIS Support and Plotting Attacks on Jews and Israel Supporters

Michael Sam Tikaya Jr., a 22-year-old from Maryland, was sentenced on Wednesday to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State (ISIS) and planning attacks targeting Jews and supporters of Israel. Tikaya will also face lifetime supervision following his release. In January 2026, he admitted to trying to support the terrorist organization.

According to prosecutors, Tikaya told an undercover FBI agent that he intended to travel to Somalia to join ISIS as a fighter. He also described a "Plan B" to carry out attacks within the United States, stating he had researched Jewish and pro-Israel buildings and considered shooting people associated with them. Authorities revealed that Tikaya purchased ammunition and practiced at a Maryland shooting range before unsuccessfully attempting to buy an AK-47 rifle while on probation.

Investigators further disclosed that Tikaya communicated with an ISIS fighter about traveling through Turkey and Ethiopia to Somalia and had obtained plane tickets prior to his arrest at Baltimore/Washington International Airport in October 2024. After his arrest, Tikaya vowed to continue jihad after serving his sentence and threatened law enforcement officers. A search of his mobile phone uncovered searches related to Jewish and Israeli individuals and organizations in Howard County, as well as queries about home break-ins and "how to escape murder."

Tikaya made chilling statements, including: "I’ll be out of prison in 20 years and I’ll just do it here. Okay? Okay? It will never stop. Jihad will never stop. I’ll just do it here when I get out." He also threatened to kill soldiers and others, and during his arrest, he kicked and spat on one of the agents.