Detroit, Michigan — A Detroit man who repeatedly attempted to funnel money to ISIS has been sentenced to nearly a decade in federal prison, according to authorities.
Jibreel Pratt, who came under federal scrutiny in 2023, admitted to attempting to provide financial support to the foreign terrorist organization—an action that could have carried a far harsher penalty.
Pratt’s efforts, documented over several months, involved cryptocurrency transactions, encrypted communication channels, and discussions about violent strategies he believed could aid ISIS operatives overseas.
Contact Began With Undercover Informant
Federal documents state that the case began in February 2023, when Pratt initiated contact with an individual he believed to be a member of ISIS. In reality, the person was a confidential informant working with federal authorities.
During conversations throughout the following months, Pratt expressed a desire to travel overseas and join the organization. According to prosecutors, he pledged allegiance to ISIS and even pitched specific ideas he thought could strengthen the group’s capabilities.
Investigators say Pratt detailed possible uses of drones, remote-controlled vehicles, and intelligence-gathering strategies that ISIS could adopt. He also spoke about ways to improve their air defense systems, revealing not only ideological alignment but a willingness to contribute actionable concepts.
Two Cryptocurrency Transfers Meant for ISIS
In March 2023 and again in May 2023, Pratt sent cryptocurrency to the informant, believing the funds would support ISIS-linked efforts.
Officials say the money was intended to:
- Assist individuals seeking to travel abroad to join ISIS
- Support an individual Pratt believed was planning to carry out an act of violence on the group’s behalf
To hide his activity, investigators say Pratt used a VPN (Virtual Private Network) and an encryption-based application designed to conceal transaction data and private keys—an attempt to obscure the path of the payments.
Federal documents also emphasize that Pratt knew ISIS was officially designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Secretary of State, meaning any effort to fund or assist them was a serious federal crime.
Arrest and Charges
Pratt was arrested in May 2023 at his home in Detroit following the cryptocurrency transfers and extensive monitoring by federal agencies. He was charged with two counts of providing material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, some of the most severe terrorism-related charges handled at the federal level.
If convicted at trial, Pratt faced up to 40 years in federal prison. However, prosecutors say he ultimately accepted responsibility and entered a guilty plea for concealing the financing of terrorism, a charge that significantly reduced his maximum exposure.
Sentenced to Nearly a Decade Behind Bars
On November 13, 2025, a federal judge sentenced Pratt to nine years in federal prison. The sentence reflects both the seriousness of the offenses and Pratt’s decision to plead guilty.
Federal officials say the sentence sends a clear message about the consequences of attempting to support foreign terrorist organizations, even through digital methods like cryptocurrency.
Pratt will serve his sentence in federal custody, followed by additional supervised release.
Do you believe nine years is an appropriate punishment for attempting to fund a terrorist organization, or should the sentence have been longer? Share your thoughts in the comments — your voice matters in discussions shaping national security policies.
