Feds accuse transnational group leaders of terrorism, assassination plots

The U.S. Department of Justice on Monday unsealed a 15-count indictment against Dallas Humber, 34, and Matthew Allison, 37. Humber is a resident of Elk Grove, Calif., while Allison is from Boise, Idaho. Federal officials arrested the individuals Friday and said they are the leaders of a transnational terrorist group called the Terrorgram Collective. Authorities charged Humber and Allison with soliciting hate crimes, soliciting the murder of federal officials, and conspiring to provide material support to terrorists, among other things.

Humber pleaded not guilty during a court hearing Monday, and a detention hearing is set for Friday. Allison has yet to enter a plea. Both individuals face a maximum penalty of 220 years in prison if they are convicted of all charges.

What is the Terrorgram Collective? The organization utilized the social media platform Telegram to spread white supremacist ideology, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a press release. Humber and Allison allegedly called on followers to commit terrorist attacks against ethnic, religious, and racial minority groups, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke.

Prosecutors allege that the two assumed leadership of the group in 2022 after one of its leaders was arrested and charged with terrorism. The indictment claims that the defendants spread videos and publications identifying targets for assassination, including a U.S. senator and other state and local officials. Prosecutors also allege that Humber and Allison shared instructions for making and detonating bombs.

Dig deeper: Read my report in The Sift about a Russian national in California pleading guilty to aiding a terrorist group.