HOUSTON – An 18-year-old Houston man has been charged with unlawfully distributing explosive-making instructions and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, a designated foreign terrorist organization, according to federal authorities.
Kaan Sercan Damlarkaya was arrested Dec. 8.
Around early August, Damlarkaya started talking to undercover agents online, according to the charges.
During the conversations, he shared his intentions to travel overseas and fight for ISIS or, if unable, to commit an attack on the United States, according to authorities.
Damlarkaya also asked if he could provide a farewell video to be published if he were to follow through with an attack resulting in his death, authorities said.
Damlarkaya also provided instructions on how to build an AK-47 or AR-15 assault rifle from readily available parts in order to avoid detection from authorities, according to the criminal complaint.
Damlarkaya provided a formula to alleged ISIS supporters for the explosive Triacetone Triperoxide, and instructions on how to use it in a pressure-cooker device that contained shrapnel, according to the allegations.
He also discussed the use of a machete or samurai sword as an alternative to a gun or explosive. The criminal complaint further indicates he claimed to carry a knife in the event he was stopped by law enforcement and that he slept with a machete under his pillow in case his house was raided.
In early November, according to court documents, Damlarkaya explained, “If I buy a gun or supplies for a bomb, they [presumably law enforcement] will heat up pressure [j]ust like a few months ago when I was trying an operation but they found out.” The criminal complaint further alleges that Damlarkaya claims to have failed to get to Syria on two other occasions.
Damlarkaya faces a possible 20-year maximum term of imprisonment if he is convicted on the charges.