Bowling Green Man Seeks Delay in Sentencing for ISIS-Related Charges

Bowling Green Man Seeks Delay in Sentencing for ISIS-Related Charges

Bowling Green, KY – A local man, Mirsad Ramic, is requesting a delay in his sentencing scheduled for next month. Ramic, age 34, faces several federal charges connected to his involvement with the terror group, ISIS. His sentencing was initially set for September 24, 2024, in U.S. District Court after a jury found him guilty in June.

Ramic was convicted of multiple offenses, including providing material support to ISIS, conspiring to support the group, and receiving military training from a designated terrorist organization. These charges were based on evidence presented during his trial, which highlighted his actions in assisting the extremist group.

Request for Postponement

On August 23, 2024, Ramic’s attorney, federal public defender Scott Wendelsdorf, filed a motion requesting additional time for sentencing. According to the motion, more time is necessary to prepare adequately for the hearing.

Wendelsdorf indicated that Dr. Patti Van Eys, a clinical psychologist from Nashville, has been hired to assess Ramic’s psychological state through testing. However, Dr. Van Eys will not be able to start her evaluation until October 1 and will likely need three months to complete her report. Wendelsdorf emphasized the need for further time after receiving this report to ensure a proper preparation for sentencing.

Federal prosecutors have stated that they do not oppose this request for a delay, suggesting that there may be no significant objections from the government’s side.

Details from the Trial

During the trial, jurors heard detailed accounts of Ramic’s actions and plans in connection to the terror group. Testimony included that he conspired with two Saudi nationals in Bowling Green back in 2014 to travel to Syria with the intention of joining ISIS, which is part of a broader group linked to Al-Qaeda.

Two former ISIS fighters testified under pseudonyms, recalling their experiences with Ramic. They described seeing him at an ISIS-controlled military base in Syria, participating in weapons training, and even engaging in battle during a critical siege in the city of Kobani.

Photographic evidence was also presented at the trial, showcasing Ramic in military attire, holding a rifle, and posing with the black ISIS flag near a vehicle equipped with an anti-aircraft gun. These images served as poignant reminders of the severity of his involvement in the terrorist organization.

Communication with Co-conspirators

Furthermore, prosecutors revealed emails exchanged between Ramic and his co-conspirators. These messages indicated discussions surrounding concepts of martyrdom and jihad, reinforcing the nature of their intentions and plans.

As the timeline for Ramic’s sentencing shifts, the community watches closely, awaiting the court’s decision regarding his request for a postpone. The outcome of the case may further serve as a reminder of the pervasive challenges posed by domestic terrorism and the legal system’s efforts to address such threats.