ISIS Terrorist Sentenced to Additional 50 Years for Prison Assault
Ontario native Abdulrahman El Bahnasawy receives consecutive sentence for violent attack on prison guards.
1Extended Prison Sentence Imposed
Abdulrahman El Bahnasawy, a 28-year-old Ontario man, received an additional 50-year prison sentence. This term follows a violent 2020 attack on two guards at the U.S. Penitentiary Allenwood in Pennsylvania. The new sentence will run consecutively to his existing 40-year term for plotting a mass-casualty terrorist attack in New York City.
2Details of Violent Assault
On December 7, 2020, El Bahnasawy utilized a weapon fashioned from a steel desk component to attack two corrections officers. He stabbed one officer in the head and face, resulting in the permanent loss of the victim's right eye. A second responding officer sustained a stab wound to her hand during the incident.
3Evidence of Ideological Motivation
Following the restraint of the inmate, authorities discovered a note in his sock explicitly claiming the assault was a terrorist attack for the Islamic State. Furthermore, investigators found a pledge of allegiance to the organization taped inside his cell locker. These items confirmed the attack was committed on behalf of ISIS ideology.
4Legal Proceedings and Guilt
In November 2025, El Bahnasawy entered a guilty plea covering multiple charges, including assault with intent to commit murder and possession of contraband. He also pleaded guilty to providing material support to ISIS. This legal resolution solidifies his accountability for both the prison violence and his previous involvement with the terrorist organization.
5Original New York Terror Plot
Before his incarceration, El Bahnasawy conspired to execute bombings and shootings in New York City during Ramadan in 2016. His plans targeted Times Square, subway passengers, and concert crowds. An undercover FBI agent infiltrated the plot, leading to his arrest in May 2016 after he traveled from Canada to the United States.
6Background and Early Life
Raised in Mississauga, Ontario, El Bahnasawy led a sheltered life before his radicalization. He struggled with serious mental health issues and opioid addiction during his teenage years. He did not complete his education beyond Grade 11, eventually becoming isolated and susceptible to online recruitment efforts by extremist groups operating internationally.
7Official Justice Department Stance
Assistant Attorney General John Eisenberg stated the sentence ensures El Bahnasawy remains incarcerated for a significant duration to prevent further harm. U.S. Attorney Brian Miller emphasized that the Department of Justice maintains an unwavering commitment to prosecuting those who perpetrate violence in the name of ISIS, regardless of their location behind bars.
8Impact of Security Measures
The case highlights the ongoing challenges of managing radicalized inmates within federal correctional facilities. By imposing consecutive sentences, the judicial system aims to neutralize threats posed by individuals committed to extremist ideologies. This outcome underscores the government's resolve to address violence perpetrated by designated foreign terrorist organization supporters within prison walls.