A Florida man is facing 20 years in federal prison for allegedly attempting to disseminate a bomb-making video for ISIS.
Romeo Xavier Langhorne of St. Augustine pleaded guilty Thursday of attempting to provide material support and resources for the group, according to the Department of Justice.
Authorities labeled ISIS a terrorist organization in 2014.
Langhorne, 31, pledged his allegiance to them that year, prosecutors say.
Throughout 2018 and 2019, he affirmed his support on various social media accounts, posted ISIS-produced videos on his YouTube account, and chatted with other like-minded people about ISIS, according to the department.
In December 2018 and January 2019, Langhorne in a chat room expressed interest in making a video on how to improve the organization’s bomb-making capabilities, prosecutors say.
In February 2019, Langhorne, unbeknownst to him, was talking to an undercover FBI agent posing as someone working on behalf of ISIS, the DOJ reported.
He allegedly talked about his plans to create and disseminate the video and sought the agent’s assistance to make it, and told the agent to make sure it included disclaimers it was for educational purposes so the video wouldn’t be taken down.
However, Langhorne is accused of telling the agent his real reason for making the video was to arm ISIS adherents with the knowledge to make the bomb for terroristic purposes.
The agent made the video for Langhorne but made sure to feature a chemical that would keep the bomb from exploding, according to the DOJ.
Authorities arrested him at his home in Roanoke, Virginia, in November 2019, the same month he’s accused of posting the video.
A federal district judge can sentence him to a maximum prison term of 20 years.
