HOUSTON – A former Texas school teacher has been indicted for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State.
A federal grand jury returned a sealed indictment against Warren Christopher Clark, 34, Jan. 23, 2019.
Clark was captured in Syria by the Syrian Democratic Forces, transferred to U.S. law enforcement custody this week.
Clark allegedly delivered a resume to ISIS members seeking a job as an English teacher.
Fox News reported: Clark noted noting that he had a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston, worked as a substitute teacher at the Fort Bend Independent School District in Sugar Land, Texas, and had done teaching stints in Saudi Arabia and Turkey, according to the documents that were obtained by the program’s researchers.
“Dear Director, I am looking to get a position teaching English to students in the Islamic State,” he wrote in the cover letter. “Teaching has given me the opportunity to work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and learning capabilities.”
“The arm of American Justice has a lengthy reach,” said Patrick. “The number one priority of the Southern District of Texas, along with the FBI and our other national security partners, is to keep America safe. The protection of life is the most sacred job law enforcement has.”
Clark is charged with attempting to provide himself as material support to ISIS, which the Secretary of State designated as a foreign terrorist organization pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
“The FBI continues to aggressively pursue individuals who attempt to join the ranks of ISIS’s foreign fighters or try to provide support for other terrorist organizations. This fight against terrorism is not one we can combat alone,” said Turner. “The FBI relies on our domestic counterparts and foreign law enforcement agencies, as well as the public. Anyone who has information about individuals who have traveled or are planning to travel overseas to support terrorist groups should report it immediately to their local FBI office.”
The charged material support violation carries a possible penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine, upon conviction.
