Cook County Sheriff’s Office staff found Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi dead in his cell due to an apparent suicide by hanging

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The Extremism Roundup
=====================


**Focused on Evidence Instead of Narratives**
A weekly compilation of the most important developments in the struggle against radical ideologies


A Word From the CEO
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Dear Reader,

This week, our newsletter highlights crucial events involving extremism and foreign influence. A North Carolina man faced charges for civil rights violations after racially motivated threats, while in California, an individual was sentenced for acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign power, exposing covert operations aimed at undermining American freedoms.


Additionally, a conviction was secured against a person plotting to murder federal law enforcement, a stark reminder of the domestic threats we continue to face. Google also dismantled numerous fake news sites linked to a Chinese influence operation, emphasizing how digital platforms remain the battleground for shaping public opinion and political discourse. These stories underscore the persistent  challenges in combating extremism and foreign interference.


Sincerely,


A Word From the CEO
-------------------

####Dear Reader,


This week, our newsletter highlights crucial events involving extremism and foreign influence. A North Carolina man faced charges for civil rights violations after racially motivated threats, while in California, an individual was sentenced for acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign power, exposing covert operations aimed at undermining American freedoms.


Additionally, a conviction was secured against a person plotting to murder federal law enforcement, a stark reminder of the domestic threats we continue to face. Google also dismantled numerous fake news sites linked to a Chinese influence operation, emphasizing how digital platforms remain the battleground for shaping public opinion and political discourse. These stories underscore the persistent  challenges in combating extremism and foreign interference.


Sincerely,

RIchard Green

CEO, Co-Founder

Clarionproject.org

Islamist Extremism
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*Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi faced multiple counts of attempted murder, hate crime and terrorism charges - Cook County Sheriff’s Department via Chicago Sun Times screenshot*


###**Islamist Chicago Shooter Commits Suicide**

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Cook County Sheriff’s Office staff found Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22, “unresponsive due to an apparent suicide attempt by hanging in his cell.” 


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Abdallahi was charged with shooting a Jewish man as he was heading to synagogue in West Rogers Park in October.


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Abdallahi’s Google searches included locations of synagogues and a Jewish community center, as well as a gun store and shooting range.


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Abdallahi faced charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and aggravated discharge of a firearm. [Read More]([link removed] 202412-05&utm_medium=email)


###**Dual U.S. and Albanian Citizen Arrested for Attempting to Aid ISIS**

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Erald Alimehmeti, a 33-year-old dual U.S. and Albanian citizen, was arrested in New York for attempting to provide material support to ISIS.


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Alimehmeti's online activities included posting pro-ISIS propaganda and discussing potential attacks. He praised ISIS figures and shared materials promoting jihadist ideology.


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Alimehmeti created and used numerous online accounts on encrypted messaging applications and social media websites to communicate with others about planning and training for attacks on behalf of ISIS. 


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He faces significant charges that could lead to 20 years in prison for each count. [Read More]([link removed] 202412-05&utm_medium=email)

Militant-Right and Militant-Left Extremism
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*Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 27 -  United States court filings via WFSA 12 screenshot*


###**Antifa Bomber Sentenced**

- Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 27, from Irondale, Ala., was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for detonating a homemade explosive device outside the Alabama Attorney General’s Office in Montgomery.
- Calvert admitted to creating the explosive using nails and screws for shrapnel. He placed the device during the early morning hours, and no one was hurt.
- Calvert also placed political ideology stickers around the area, some including the phrase “Support your local antifa.” [Read More]([link removed] 202412-05&utm_medium=email)

###**Tennessee Man Convicted for Conspiring to Murder FBI Employees**

- Edward Kelley, 35, of Maryville, Tenn., was convicted of conspiring to murder FBI employees. He was found guilty of conspiracy to murder, solicitation to commit a crime of violence, and influencing a federal official by threat.
- Kelley developed a "kill list" targeting FBI agents involved in his January 6, 2021, Capitol breach investigation. Kelley distributed this list and videos of the FBI employees to a co-conspirator.
- Kelley's sentencing is set for May 7, 2025, where he faces up to life in prison. [Read More]([link removed] 202412-05&utm_medium=email)

Hate Crime
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*Maurice Hopkins, 31 - via  WSPA 7 News screenshot*


###**Man Threatens Pizza Shop Patrons**

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Maurice Hopkins, 31, from North Carolina, was indicted for civil rights violations and firearms offenses after he allegedly threatened eight individuals with a firearm at Zambies Pizza in Charlotte.


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According to arrest warrants, Hopkins went into the store and started making racial comments to a group of Indian patrons. 


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If convicted, Hopkins faces up to 10 years in prison per civil rights charge and a mandatory minimum sentence for the firearms charge. [Read More]([link removed] 202412-05&utm_medium=email)


###**Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Threats to Jewish Community**

- John Reardon, 59, from Millis, Mass., pleaded guilty to charges involving threats against the local Jewish community.
- Reardon admitted to threatening to kill congregants and bomb synagogues, including Congregation Agudas Achim in Attleboro.
- In addition to the synagogue threats, Reardon made 98 harassing calls to the Israeli Consulate in Boston.
- Reardon could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for obstruction of religious beliefs by threat of force, among other charges. [Read More]([link removed] 202412-05&utm_medium=email)

School Threats
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*Highland Park (Texas) High School - via Fox 4 News screenshot*


###**Texas Student Arrested for Online Threat**

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A student was arrested for making threats against Highland Park High School in Texas, via social media.


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The threats led to increased security measures at the school, including the use of metal detectors.


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The arrest came after an investigation that initially found the threat not to be credible, but precautionary measures remain in place. [Read More]([link removed] 202412-05&utm_medium=email)


###**Indiana Student Arrested for Threats**

- A seventh-grader at Noblesville East Middle School in Indiana was arrested for making a threat that led to the cancellation of classes across the school district.
- The threat was communicated via an anonymous video on social media targeting East Middle School.
- The student, who was not named, faces a low-level felony charge of intimidation. [Read More]([link removed] 202412-05&utm_medium=email)

Foreign Influence Operations
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* Google exhibit at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2024 in Shanghai, July 4, 2024 - CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images*


###**Google Takes Down Chinese Influence Operation**

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Google has taken down hundreds of news sites and domains linked to a Chinese influence operation known as "Operation Glassbridge." These sites were blocked from Google News due to violations of "deceptive behavior" and "editorial transparency" policies.


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The operation involved four companies creating inauthentic news sites to promote pro-China narratives globally.


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The content focused on topics like Beijing's territorial claims, Taiwan, the Xinjiang region, and criticism of the U.S. and other Western policies. The strategy aimed to present China in a favorable light and influence global opinion. [Read More]([link removed] 202412-05&utm_medium=email)


###**California Man Sentenced for Acting as Illegal Chinese Agent**

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John Chen, 71, of Los Angeles was sentenced to 20 months in prison for acting as an unregistered agent of China and for bribery. He attempted to bribe an IRS agent to target practitioners of Falun Gong in the U.S.


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The scheme was part of a broader PRC campaign to repress and harass Falun Gong practitioners, who the Chinese Government considers a threat.


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In addition to the prison term, Chen was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $50,000. [Read More]([link removed] 202412-05&utm_medium=email)

QUOTABLE

“Give all the power to the many, they will oppress the few. Give all the power to the few, they will oppress the many.”
=======================================================================================================================

*-- George Washington*

NOTE TO OUR READERS: We have pulled out the salient points of the articles in this newsletter to keep you informed and focused on the most relevant, important and timely news in national security and extremism. While our national security experts stand behind the summary bullets and deem them trustworthy, Clarion Project does not endorse all the views expressed in the articles linked.

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