Brooklyn man who called for 'lone wolf' ISIS attacks gets 20 years in prison

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A Brooklyn man who pledged allegiance to ISIS and encouraged the group's supporters to carry out "lone wolf attacks" in New York City has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, prosecutors say.

A judge handed down the sentence to Zachary Clark, 42, on Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a press release.

"Zachary Clark pledged allegiance to ISIS and posted calls for attacks on the public and institutions in New York City on encrypted pro-ISIS chat rooms, along with detailed instructions for carrying out those violent acts," Audrey Strauss, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement.

"Today's sentence sends a clear message that those who seek to further ISIS' campaign of terror and violence, no matter the method, will face serious consequences," Strauss added.

Prosecutors say Clark started spreading ISIS propaganda in chat rooms and other forums beginning in March 2019.

He pledged allegiance to the group twice that year, first in July and then in October, prosecutors said.

Clark not only called on ISIS supporters to commit "lone wolf attacks" in the five boroughs — including ones that targeted the New York City subway system — but also provided guidance meant to help them carry out attacks, including an al-Qaeda-issued manual entitled "Make a bomb in the kitchen of your Mom," according to prosecutors.

At a hearing on Wednesday, Clark's attorney claimed he was "mainlining hard drugs" when he pledged allegiance to the group, the New York Post reported.

Clark also issued an apology for his actions, the outlet reported.

"To sit here and say I'm sorry would be a great understatement," he said, according to the outlet.