Former Rowan resident sentenced to 20 years for trying to join terriorist group ISIS
Published 6:31 pm Wednesday, May 13, 2015
By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com
WINSTON-SALEM — A federal judge sentenced former Rowan County resident Donald Ray Morgan to 20 years in prison Wednesday for trying to join the Islamic State terrorist group, ISIS.
Morgan, 44, pleaded guilty in October to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Morgan is a former Rowan County Sheriff’s deputy and was once a reserve East Spencer police officer. He was fired from both agencies. Morgan also previously worked at a local car dealership and a local company that works on heating and air-conditioning systems.
In 1996, a then 26-year-old Morgan was charged with shooting into a crowded Las Palmas restaurant after employees there refused to serve him more alcohol. He was convicted in early 1997 of carrying a concealed weapon and shooting into an occupied dwelling. He served two years in prison and was not supposed to have firearms of any kind.
On May 27, a grand jury with the Middle District of North Carolina returned a one-count indictment charging Morgan with possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a felony. Morgan was charged because of an AK-47 he sold in 2012 on the online site Carolina Shooters Club.
He was initially held on the gun charge after his arrest at John F. Kennedy International Airport last Aug. 2, shortly after arriving on a flight from Frankfurt, Germany. He was later charged with terrorism.
Court documents show around January 2014 until August 2, 2014, Morgan knowingly tried to provide support and resources, including his own services to the terrorist organization al-Qa’ida in Iraq, also known as Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) and the Islamic State of Iraq an al-Sham (ISIS).
He unsuccessfully attempted to travel to Syria from Lebanon to join ISIL/ISIS. He admitted in court he did try to travel to Syria, but he said he did so merely to provide humanitarian aid.
Although Morgan was charged with a firearm offense, it was his Twitter page that got the attention of federal officials. He has admitted to using social media sites Facebook and Twitter to express his support for the terrorist group. Morgan used the pseudonym Abu Omar al Amreeki on the social media site, and on it he posted photos and tweets pledging loyalty to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The Twitter account has been deleted.
Morgan spoke to a journalist in an interview that aired on NBC regarding his support for the organization, which has seized control of parts of Iraq and Syria while brutally and publicly slaying people it has taken prisoner.
He has been in custody since his August arrest and according to his attorney, is in solitary confinement. Morgan was brought into the courtroom in an orange Forsyth County issued jumpsuit and shackles. He gave a quick wink to his mother and other friends who attended the hearing.
Judge Thomas Schroeder said he was very concerned with a letter Morgan wrote as his will that indicated he wanted any money go to his ex-wife, Tangela, for the care of their son, and to “Islamic State.”
When asked if he wanted to speak, Morgan addressed the court by saying he used a poor choice of words and spoke about the Arabic translation of Islamic State essentially meaning he wanted to give a portion or tithe to any local Islamic charities or a local mosque.
Morgan founded the Islamic Center of Salisbury, located near Salisbury High School.
He admitted he could be overzealous at times, but wanted to go to Syria to “defend somebody who can not defend themselves.” Morgan said he wanted to help innocent Muslims.
Morgan’s attorney, Andrew McCoppin, said his client came from a troubled childhood and asked for a lighter sentence. He said Morgan’s father committed suicide after his business went under at the hands of his business partner, who eventually married Morgan’s mother.
McCoppin said that Morgan also “abandoned his effort” to support and join ISIS when he was turned away at the airport in Turkey.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Green referred to Morgan’s postings on social media sites, saying the Rowan native condoned the “beheading and killing of enemies.” He also said after Morgan was turned away in Turkey, his rants on social media sites continued.
Upon his release, Morgan will be placed on three years supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay $200 for a special assessment fee.
“We will continue to do everything we can to shine a light on the false allure of violent extremism and protect innocent people, from terrorist activity, whether inside or outside the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Ripley Rand.
“The sentence in this case demonstrates we will continue to bring to justice those who engage in this conduct, and that protecting the nation against these threats remains one of our highest priorities,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin said.
“Donald Ray Morgan proved himself to be a threat to national security. One of the FBI’s highest priorities is to stop American citizens who support terrorist organizations and ensure they are held accountable for their actions,” said John Strong, special agent in charge for the FBI in North Carolina.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI (Charlotte Division), the Greensboro Resident Agency Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The Greensboro task force includes the following agencies: the FBI, Greensboro Police, Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, High Point Police and the Winston-Salem Police departments.
Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.