Lehigh Acres man arrested on charges linked to terrorism and ISIS

A 23-year-old Lehigh Acres man is facing charges linked to terrorism and ISIS, according to documents from the U.S. District Court.

Jonathan Guerra Blanco, also known as Abu Zahraal-Andalusi, attempted to provide material support and resources to the foreign terrorist organization, according to a sworn report from Special Agent Bryan D. Hughes, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Guerra is a Cuban-born naturalized U.S. citizen. He had his first appearance on Sept. 14 before Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Becerra in Miami, where he was held without bond.

He was arrested Sept. 11, the 19th anniversary of coordinated terrorist attacks carried out by an Islamist extremist group that killed more than 3,000 people.

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The 20-page report, referring to him as Guerra, said he created numerous accounts to disguise his identity to participate in terrorist plots, and, once he identified others sympathetic to the cause, taught them how to hide their identities.

The report indicates as early as October 2019, Guerra told undercover agents that he was editing videos and working as an administrator to "invigorate" IMN1. 

When agents later asked Guerra what IMN1's focus was, he answered "to make the word of Allah high...the highest,'' the report indicates.

Agents said they had evidence Guerra was sending warnings of terrorist action in Spain, as well as graphics of armed jihadists.  

In February, agents linked a IMN1 network video that featured a call to Islam and featured Spanish-speakers threatening non-believers to convert to Islam. The video featured footage of the Biltmore Hotel in Miami, the Las Vegas strip, clips of a suicide bomber's farewell address and gruesome images from an ISIS prisoner execution.

The report said the network also produced a guide called "Elabora una bomba en la cocina de tu Mamâ," meaning "How to Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of Your Mom." 

An Arabic-language video sent to agents by Guerra in June, featured  

beheadings, drive-by executions of civilians, and ISIS executions of Kurdish prisoners.

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Guerrra, according to the report, asked the agent to translate the video to English for a new video, telling him "it's your duty."

The report said Guerra distributed the English-language video. 

In a July conversation with an agent, the report says Guerra told the agent "I always strive to please Allah. I don't want to brag, but I dedicate my life to J...had." The report then explains he did not spell out Jihad because of the belief that ISIS members avoid certain key words to avoid algorithms that services may use to find violations of terms of service.

In another July conversation, Guerra told an agent his name was "Jonathan" and he lived with family in Lehigh Acres. He also sent the agent a photo of him with his daughter. 

His next court appearance is Oct. 2 in Miami.