BREAKING – Details On Dakhlallah’s Testimony Before Sentencing

OXFORD , MS (WCBI) – A remorseful Muhammed Dakhlallah says he accepts full responsibility for the attempt to join ISIS which is landing him in prison for 8 years.  The Starkville man spoke to Judge Sharion Aycock before she delivered his sentence.  The former MSU student says when he first heard of ISIS he thought they were good people but says now he knows “I was completely wrong about what I thought ISIS was.”    According to WCBI’s Tommy Lopez, who was in the courtroom during the sentencing, Daklallah now sees the terrorist group for what it is and “I denounce them…I condemn them.”

Muhammed Dakhlalla’s senior picture from Starkville High School in 2011

Daklallah broke down and cried on the stand when he apologized for lying to his mother about telling her he was going on vacation with co-defendant Jaelyn Young when his true intention was to flee to Syria and join the terrorist group.  That was thwarted when the pair were picked up at Golden Triangle Regional Airport as they prepared to board a flight that would have led them eventually to Turkey.

He finished his statement to the court by actually thanking the FBI saying “I realize the FBI saved my life ..that I would probably be dead by now.”

Daklallah added that he feels he betrayed his country.

In addition to the 8 years in prison, Daklallah must also serve 15 years post release probation but did not receive a fine.

WCBI’s Tommy Lopez will have a complete wrap up of today’s sentencing on WCBI News