FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Cumberland County man who admitted to having ties to the Islamic State was sentenced in federal court Wednesday.

  • Houcine Ghoul was sentenced to 24 months in prison and must pay $18,000 in restitution.
  • Ghoul admitted to having ties to ISIS.
  • He will be deported immediately following his sentence. 

Houcine Ghoul, 44, will spend 24 months in prison, must pay $18,000 in restitution and will then be deported immediately after his release. 

RELATED: Cumberland Co. man pleads guilty to ISIS-related charges

Ghoul pleaded guilty to lying to obtain citizenship and filing a false tax return in November 2017. 

The judge in his case points out that he also had child care benefits for his two children born in the U.S., overcharged customers at a Fayetteville convenience store, and received income from drug deals.

The FBI first started investigating Ghoul more than three years ago after investigators found a social media account linked to him that expressed support for ISIS.

The investigation also led investigators to a convenience store in Cumberland County where he was accused of selling narcotics.

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