Pizza shop owner admits trying to recruit for Islamic State

Elfgeeh admitted to his efforts to recruit, raise funds and coordinate logistics for the terrorist group.

Mufid Elfgeeh, a Rochester man arrested past year over allegations he tried to recruit people for the Islamic State terror group, also referred to as ISIS, is expected to accept a plea deal in court Thursday.

Elfgeeh pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Investigators say Elfgee did this through social media. He will reportedly face maximum 22 years in prison at his sentencing March 17.

“Thanks to today’s convictions, one of the first ISIL recruiters ever captured in this country stands convicted of terrorism related charges”, said U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. of the Western District of NY.

In addition, Elfgeeh sent $600 to an individual in Yemen to help him travel to Syria in order to join Islamic State and later facilitated communication between a military commander for fighters in Syria and leaders of Islamic State, according to court documents.

Elfgeeh was arrested in 2014 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation after authorities said he bought two handguns and two silencers as part of a plan to gun down USA soldiers returning home from war as well as Shiites living in his upstate community.