October 26, 2015
This press release is from the IACP website
Chicago, IL — On Sunday, October 25, the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s (IACP) Committee on Terrorism and Booz Allen Hamilton awarded the law enforcement agents responsible for collaboratively identifying, investigating and arresting Homegrown Violent Extremist Rahatul Ashikim Khan and associates with the Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Prevention of Terrorism at the IACP Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois.
“As law enforcement we are constantly trying to stay ahead of the next terrorist attack and protect the homeland,” said IACP President Richard Beary. “It is through collaboration and information sharing at the state, local, and federal levels that law enforcement is able to keep our citizens safe by averting terrorist activities. The IACP Booz Allen Hamilton award is an excellent way to honor and recognized this partnerships.”
“In today’s world, terrorism investigations are not only incredibly complex, but often require close cooperation across many jurisdictions to prevent potential attacks and achieve successful prosecutions,” said Booz Allen Hamilton Vice President Bob Sogegian. “We believe this award is important because it brings public attention to the dedicated service of our nation’s enforcement professionals and demonstrates the power of strong partnerships in protecting all of our communities.”
FBI San Antonio Central Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force (CTX JTTF) successfully conducted a multi-year investigation of Homegrown Violent Extremist (HVE) Rahatul Ashikim Khan and associates, to include Michael Todd Wolfe.
On June 17, 2014, Michael Wolfe left Austin, Texas, and was arrested on a federal complaint as he attempted to board an international flight out of Houston with his wife. Khan was subsequently arrested at his home in Round Rock, Texas. Both were indicted the following day in the Western District of Texas for attempting to provide material support to terrorists.
The disruption of Michael Wolfe’s travel prevented not only a single fighter from traveling to fight for ISIS, but halted the creation of a pipeline for jihadist travelers to Syria. The CTX JTTF believes this disruption could have prevented a systematic recruitment/travel network developed by Khan and Wolfe.
The investigation, from initial complaint to the convictions of Khan and Wolfe, rested on the strong working relationships forged among the task force, which encompassed the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, United States Army Intelligence, Austin Police Department, Round Rock Police Department, Killeen Police Department, University of Texas Police Department, Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Office of the Texas Attorney General, and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The CTX JTTF serves as a model for integrated investigations and cooperative intelligence-sharing across state, local, tribal, and federal agencies today.
To learn more about the IACP Committee on Terrorism/Booz Allen Outstanding Achievement in the Prevention of Terrorism Award, please visit www.theiacp.org/IACP-Booz-Allen-Hamilton-Terrorism-Award.
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