Tennessee Man Arrested For Translating ISIS Propaganda Into English

KEY POINTS

31-year-old Benjamin Carpenter was arrested for allegedly helping spread ISIS propaganda
Carpenter, also known as Abu Hamza, was the alleged leader of an organization dedicated to translating ISIS materials
He's been on the FBI's watch list since 2015 and is on the terrorist no-fly list

Federal authorities on March 24 arrested a 31-year-old East Tennessee man who was allegedly responsible for helping spread English-language translated materials and propaganda for the Islamic State group (ISIS).

According to a statement released by the Department of Justice on Monday, a federal grand jury indicted 31-year-old Benjamin Carpenter of Knoxville for allegedly providing material support and resources to ISIS, according to WATE-TV.

Carpenter's detention hearing was held today. U.S. Magistrate Judge Debra Poplin is keeping him detained pending its outcome. His trial is set for June 1 before U.S. District Judge Katherine A. Crytzer.

Documents filed with the court said Carpenter, also known as Abu Hamza, was the alleged leader of Ahlut-Tawhid Publications. The international organization was dedicated to the translation and publication of pro-ISIS and official ISIS media in English, the department noted.

Authorities said Carpenter also was in contact with a person whom he believed was affiliated with ISIS and provided them with English-language translations of ISIS media content for use by the group. The person, however, turned out to be a covert FBI employee.

Carpenter's detention hearing revealed he spent most of his work translating and recruiting from his bedroom inside his mother's home in Knox County. He regularly communicated with terrorist figures, and wanted to travel overseas to meet them, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported. He has been on the FBI's Terrorism Watch List since 2015 and is on the Terrorist Screening Center's No Fly List.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Arrowood called Carpenter an ISIS enthusiast who was attempting to recruit American Muslims to the group. Arrowood said Carpenter produced videos and newsletters that made terror leaders appear like celebrities and framed the group's actions as being just. He also said Carpenter provided translation services with his fluent Arabic.

If found guilty of his terrorist charge, Carpenter can face up to 20 years in prison.

No information about Carpenter's legal defense was disclosed to the public.