A western New York arrested on a charge of attempting to support the Islamic State group has been ordered held without bail pending a hearing Friday.
Arafat Nagi appeared in federal court in Buffalo on Wednesday, hours after a raid at his home in nearby Lackawanna.
U.S. Attorney William Hochul says the 44-year-old traveled twice to Turkey within the past three years with the intention of joining the Islamic State group. He says Nagi purchased military combat gear, including night-vision goggles. Authorities were tipped off by a resident who heard Nagi talking about his jihadi beliefs.
If convicted, Nagi faces up to 15 years in prison. Commenting on the arrest, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer expressed confidence that “the U.S. Attorney will handle this case with great care and ensure justice is served.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.
