Highly Decorated Hawaii Soldier Arrested By FBI SWAT Team For Alleged Ties To ISIS
by Jonah Bennett, Daily Caller, July 10, 2017
An FBI SWAT team arrested Hawaii-based soldier Ikaika Erik Kang on Saturday for alleged ties to the Islamic State.
The FBI field office in Honolulu stated that the 34-year-old active-duty soldier is stationed at the Schofield Barracks and appeared in court Monday regarding allegations of terror links, USA Today reports.
According to the criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court of Hawaii, Kang, part of the 25th Infantry Division, pledged allegiance to ISIS. Moreover, Kang also attempted to provide military documents to ISIS contacts.
Unlike other service members apprehended due to terror connections, Sgt. 1st Class Kang was highly decorated, having been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal, among others. He deployed to Iraq in 2010 and Afghanistan in 2014.
“Terrorism is the FBI’s number one priority,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul D. Delacourt said in a statement. “In fighting this threat, the Honolulu Division of the FBI works with its law enforcement partners and the Joint Terrorism Task Force. In this case, the FBI worked closely with the U.S. Army to protect the citizens of Hawaii.”
Prior to his arrest, Kang worked as an air traffic control operator.
The Army and FBI had been investigating Kang for more than a year. They believe he was a lone actor.
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PDF: Criminal Complaint
SA: “He’s really strong in his belief in the Muslim faith”
AL.com: FBI posed as Fort Rucker lecturer to nab soldier suspected of supporting ISIS, filing shows
DE: Soldier charged in Hawaii with supporting terrorism traced back to Fort Rucker
CBS: According to the FBI, Kang allegedly attempted to provide military documents, and training, to ISIS. Kang swore allegiance to ISIS.
SA: "In March 2017, Kang told an FBI source that the Orlando, Fla., Pulse nightclub shooter did what he had to do and that America was the only terrorist organization. He also told the source that Hitler was right and he believed in the mass killing of Jews."
SA: "Arrested Hawaii soldier studied Islam"
KITV: Muslim Assn of Hawaii Claims Soldier never attended Manoa Mosque
KITV: They said the Muslim members who are in the military said they did not know that Kang had converted to Islam.
AP: Kang was 9-11 Trooother
CB: "Had his military clearance revoked in 2012 for making pro-Islamic State comments"
KHON: Federal agents have been seen in the neighborhood just observing for several months
FBI News Release: “Kang has been under investigation by the U.S. Army and the FBI for over a year.”
HNN: Defense attorneys criticize investigation of Hawaii terror suspect
KGMB: Suspect graduated from Kaiser High School
HNN: FBI: Hawaii soldier with ties to ISIS threatened to kill 'a bunch of people'
Tapology: Kang MMA Fighter
Fun Video: Kang losing 3 round MMA fight