A Chicago man has been accused of using a computer script to make Islamic State propaganda more conveniently accessed and disseminated, federal authorities said Tuesday.
Thomas Osadzinski, a 20-year-old college student, has been charged in a criminal complaint with one count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Osadzinski appeared briefly in court Tuesday and is being held in custody until a detention hearing Friday.
The complaint alleges Osadzinski, a Park Ridge native, designed a process that uses a computer script that automatically copies and preserves Islamic State propaganda posted on social media platforms.
That means even though social media companies routinely remove the content, social media users could continue to access and disseminate the content.
The feds say Osadzinski shared his script — and instructions on how to use it — with individuals he believed to be Islamic State supporters. However, those individuals turned out to be undercover FBI employees and a person working with law enforcement.
Osadzinski is being held without bond pending a detention hearing on Friday.
This is a developing story. Check back for more details.
