Durham man, Alexander Justin White, 30, aka ‘Sulaiman Al-Amriki’ online, bought tactical gear, trained at the gun range, raised money for terrorists, and tried to fly to Morocco to fight for ISIS.
A federal judge in Wilmington handed down serious time to a Durham, North Carolina man who went from posting pro-ISIS content to actively trying to become a terrorist fighter.
Durham Man Charged with Supporting ISIS and Attempting to Join Terrorist Group
Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II sentenced Alexander Justin White to 8 years in federal prison on charges of conspiring to provide and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). White also faces lifetime supervised release, mandatory mental and physical health assessments/treatment, and the most intensive substance abuse treatment available.
He’ll serve his time at FCI Butner — a medium-security federal prison just minutes from Durham — reportedly to stay close to family and his imam in Burlington.
A press release say White planned to abandon his family and betray his country to fight for ISIS.
Between May and October 2024, White went hard on social media. He posted and reposted content supporting ISIS and jihad. He shared recruitment-style videos meant to fire people up and bring in new fighters. He pushed fundraising efforts and referenced well-known ISIS supporters and enablers.
White didn’t stop at likes and shares. He made (or tried to make) financial transactions to support terrorist camps and funnel money to ISIS members and backers. On Facebook and encrypted messaging apps, he openly talked about his desire to travel overseas, join ISIS, and become a “Mujahid” — someone who commits jihad.
He even expressed willingness to kill U.S. military members and American citizens.
White purchased a flight to North Africa with Morocco as the ultimate destination — ISIS-controlled territory where he planned to fight. In preparation, he bought equipment for his new life as a terrorist, including a tactical medical kit and military-style boots that he wore around North Carolina to break them in. He also trained at a gun range.
On December 4, 2024, White headed to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) with his gear, ready to board a flight to Paris (the first leg of his journey to Morocco and ISIS).
He never made it to the gate.
Law enforcement — specifically the FBI Raleigh-Durham Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) — arrested him at the airport before he could board. When agents searched his University Drive apartment, they seized an American Tactical M1911 handgun with three empty magazines and $6,970 in cash on his person.
White worked alone. No co-conspirators were identified. He had no prior criminal history in North Carolina. Much of the court file remains sealed.
White pleaded guilty in February 2025. Sentencing came down on June 22, 2026.
