By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — A Dearborn Heights man threatened attacks on police and a Detroit church, in support of ISIS, according to a federal criminal complaint unsealed Thursday.
Khalil Abu-Rayyan, 21, was in federal court in Detroit Monday facing charges of possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance. He could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
He has not been charged with any terrorism crime.
The hearing was rescheduled from Monday to 1 p.m. Wednesday because his attorney, Buffalo attorney Thomas Eoannou — Abu-Rayyan’s father — required time to travel.
According to an FBI affidavit in the complaint, Abu-Rayyan had been under FBI surveillance since May, after photos and posts were found on his social media accounts declaring his support of ISIS.
In one photo Abu-Rayyan was shown holding a semi-automatic pistol, while making a common ISIS gesture in two others.
The affidavit revealed he began having conversations with an undercover investigator where he stated he had an AK-47 and threatened to attack a Detroit church.
“Threats of this nature, regardless of where they originate, or who they target, are always taken seriously,” said David P. Gelios, Special Agent in Charge, FBI – Detroit Division. “The FBI acted quickly and comprehensively to investigate and arrest Mr. Rayyan upon the receipt of information that he posed a potential public safety threat. The investigative actions prior to his arrest included 24/7 surveillance to ensure there was a prompt response to any attempted violent act.”
The FBI said Abu-Rayyan on two occasions lied while filling out federal ATF Form 4473 to purchase firearms, when he checked “no” to the question asking whether he is an unlawful user of a controlled substance.
The first occurrence happened when Abu-Rayyan purchased a .22-caliber revolver from a sporting goods store in Dearborn Heights Oct. 5, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Michigan.
Abu-Rayyan was pulled over Oct. 7 in Detroit for speeding and was arrested when police found marijuana and the unlicensed weapon in the vehicle, the statement said.
The second occurrence came when Abu-Rayyan attempted to purchase a second firearm Nov. 15 at a different sporting goods store, but was unsuccessful due to the pending state weapons charges.
After his arrest, Abu-Rayyan admitted to law enforcement that he was a habitual marijuana user during the time in which he purchased the .22-caliber revolver.
“Abu-Rayyan has also since pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana in a state case, and is currently awaiting trial in state court on the charge of carrying a concealed weapon in an automobile,” the statement read.
The weapons trial is scheduled for Feb. 16.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected])