Friday, June 9, 2023 6:30 am
Paul Ventura, the father of 18-year-old Mateo Ventura of Wakefield, Massachusetts, displayed a picture on his phone that he described as a picture of himself and his son Mateo while speaking to reporters outside the federal state. (Right) Court in Worcester, Massachusetts, Thursday, June 8, 2023 Matteo Ventura appears in federal court on Thursday on charges of willfully concealing the source of material support and resources for a foreign terrorist organization. announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston. .
ABC News
An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of trying to raise money for ISIS through a gift card scheme on the dark web.
Matteo Ventura, from Wakefield, Massachusetts, “knowingly concealed the source of material aid and resources intended for a foreign terrorist organization, the Islamic State of Iraq al-Sham (ISIS).” arrested on suspicion. A statement released Thursday by the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Ventura allegedly provided multiple gift cards to individuals believed to be ISIS sympathizers with the intention that those gift cards would later be sold on the dark web at a fraction of the face value. Officials said the proceeds from these sales and the resulting profits would be used to support ISIS.
In a statement announcing the charges against Ventura, the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office said, “Mr. Ventura allegedly said he wanted to donate the proceeds to ISIS ‘for the war against Kfar’ (infidels).” Stated. “Between January and May 2023, Ventura is said to have donated a total of $705 to support ISIS.”
Willful concealment of the source of material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization, if convicted, could result in up to 10 years in prison, lifelong supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Authorities announced.
Ventura appeared in federal court on Thursday before U.S. District Judge David H. Hennessy. It’s unclear when Ventura will next appear in court.
The Massachusetts Office of the U.S. Attorney’s Office said, “Sentences are imposed by federal district court judges under U.S. sentencing guidelines and statutes governing sentencing decisions in criminal cases.” “A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.”
Investigation is ongoing.
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