A Hawaii man is in federal custody tonight awaiting extradition to New York to face charges that he lied in a matter involving international terrorism.
21-year old Abdel Hameed Shehadeh was arrested on Friday in Honolulu, and a hearing was held today in federal court.
According to the federal complaint, in 2008, Abdel Hameed Shehadeh bought a one-way airline ticket to Pakistan from New York's JFK Airport.
Shehadeh was born and raised in New York, and at the time, lived on Staten Island.
He told FBI agents at the airport that he was heading to Pakistan to attend a madrasa or an Islamic school.
When he landed in Pakistan, he was denied entry and returned to the US.
Later that year, Shehadeh tried to join the US Army in Manhattan, but was denied after lying to the recruiter about his travel history.
According to the federal complaint, a witness "informed law enforcement that Shehadeh believed it was the duty of Muslims to fight beside fellow Muslims against their enemies, including the United States military forces."
And that "Shehadeh attempted to join the United States military as part of his jihad. He intended to commit treason and fight United States soldiers."
In 2009, Shehadeh bought a one-way ticket to Honolulu from JFK Airport.
He visited the SWAT Gun Club in Honolulu to fire various firearms including an M-16 assault rifle, a 0.45 caliber semi automatic pistol, and a 12 gauge pump action shotgun.
When he tried to fly out of Hawaii, FBI agents told him they were putting him on the "No Fly" list.
Another witness told the FBI that "Shehadeh stated that, without a doubt, he would have joined the taliban. Shehadeh expected to receive training in guerrilla warfare and bomb-making."
The federal complaint also reveals Shehadeh created multiple websites which advocated violent jihad against the West.
One posting said: "It is time for the Muslims to start practicing our freedom of speech. Trust me there are many brothers and sisters in America that are ready to speak up. They just need a push."
The FBI says Hawaii was never the target of a terrorist plot in this case.
If convicted, Shehadeh faces up to eight years in federal prison.
