Justice Department Charges 6 with Terrorism Related Offenses

The Justice Department has brought charges against six people accused of supporting terrorist activities overseas.

The charges were announced in a press release from the Department of Justice. The defendants are spread throughout the United States. The defendants from St. Louis County, Missouri are Ramiz and Sedina Hodzic, and Armin Harcevic. Nihad Rosic of Utica, New York, Media Salkicevic of Schiller Park, Illinois, and Jaminka Ramic of Rockford, Illinois were also charged.

The defendants range in age from their late 20s to the mid 40s. All the suspects are of Bosnian origin and immigrated to the United States. They are all charged with providing material support to terrorists while Ramiz Hodzic and Nihad Rosic face additional charges of conspiring to kill and injure people in foreign countries.

Five of the six defendants are in government custody, but the whereabouts of the sixth are unknown except for the fact that they are somewhere abroad.

The defendants charged with providing material support can face up to 15 years in prison for each count they are convicted on. They may also face fines up to $250,000. Those charged with conspiring to kill could receive life sentences.

"Today's charges and arrests underscore our resolve to identify, thwart, and hold accountable individuals within the United States who seek to provide material support to terrorists and terrorist organizations operating in Syria and Iraq," said Assistant Attorney General Carlin.  "Preventing the provision of supplies, money, and personnel to foreign terrorist organizations like ISIL remains a top priority of the National Security Division and our partners in the law enforcement and intelligence communities.  I want to thank the many agents, analysts and prosecutors responsible for this case."