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Friday, March 29, 2024 | Back issues
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Ohio Man Charged for ISIL Social Media Posts

(CN) - Federal prosecutors say an Ohio man posted U.S. military personnel information on social media, including the purported address of the Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden.

Terrence McNeil was indicted on charges of soliciting a crime of violence and threatening military personnel.

McNeil, 25, posted online messages supporting the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, or ISIL, according to a 9-page indictment.

On Sept. 24 of this year, McNeil "reblogged" an animated image file on Tumblr that called for killings and looped purported photographs of U.S. military personnel, along with their names and addresses, according to the federal government.

A little more than a week later, McNeil allegedly tweeted what he believed to be the address of the U.S. Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden in 2011.

McNeil's post referenced someone with the initials R.O., the government says. Former Navy SEAL Robert O'Neill claimed in November 2014 that he fired the head shots that killed bin Laden.

The indictment alleges the Akron, Ohio, resident also posted messages like, "I can't wait for another 9/11, Boston bombing, or Sandy Hook!!!" and, "Being Muslim, black, and native american in the US, I feel like it's my duty to burn America."

McNeil was arrested Nov. 12. Prior to his arrest, he had no criminal record, according to the government.

If convicted on all charges, McNeil faces a maximum sentence of 75 years in prison. His sentence will be based on a review of factors unique to the case, the U.S. Justice Department said.

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