MILWAUKEE (WTAQ) – Federal law enforcement officials have announced that two Milwaukee men have been arrested and charged with trying to provide material support to ISIS.
On Friday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that 35-year-old Jason Ludke has been charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization. 30-year-old Yosvany Padilla-Conde was charged in the same criminal complaint with aiding and abetting Ludke’s attempt.
FOX 11 reports that Ludke applied to the Green Bay Sex Offender Registry Board in 2015 to live with his wife, son and step-daughters. The move was approved, however, it wasn’t immediately clear how long he may have lived in Green Bay.
Ludke had been convicted of second-degree sexual assault of a child in Brown County back in 2002. He was sentenced to 4 years in prison. The Wisconsin sex offender registry lists Ludke as non-compliant.
Officials say both men were arrested by the FBI and local law enforcement near San Angelo, Texas. The complaint alleges the pair traveled from Wisconsin to Mexico where they intended to acquire aid and documents necessary to travel to Syria and/or Iraq.
“Terrorism remains the FBI’s top priority in keeping Americans safe. The arrest of these two individuals from Wisconsin, underscores how the real threat of terrorism can occur anywhere, at any time. I would like to commend the efforts of the JTTF which includes a wide range of our law enforcement partners who work tirelessly for the safety of our citizens. We encourage all citizens to remain vigilant in reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement,” Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, Justin Tolomeo, said in a news release.
If convicted of these charges, both men face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
