Feds Make Terror Arrests in 2 States

Iraqi suspect came to US as refugee
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jan 8, 2016 12:37 AM CST
Feds Make Terror Arrests in 2 States
Stock photo   (Shutterstock)

Authorities said Thursday that two people with ties to ISIS have been arrested on terrorism-related charges in California and Texas, including an Iraqi refugee who's charged with lying to federal investigators about his travels to Syria. A criminal complaint unsealed Thursday accuses Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab, 23, of Sacramento, of traveling to Syria to fight in the civil war there and of lying to investigators about it. US Attorney Benjamin Wagner said in a statement that while Al-Jayab was potentially dangerous, there's no indication that he planned any attacks in the United States. "According to the allegations in the complaint, the defendant traveled to Syria to take up arms with terrorist organizations and concealed that conduct from immigration authorities," Wagner said.

Meanwhile, the US Attorney's Office based in Houston said late Thursday that Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan, 24, of Houston, was indicted Wednesday on three charges of trying to provide material support to extremists. Both men are Palestinians born in Iraq, authorities say. There is no indication from prosecutors that Al Hardan was a threat in the United States, but his arrest sparked immediate criticism of the Obama administration's refugee policies from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Federal officials say three separate arrests in Milwaukee on Thursday grew out of the Sacramento investigation but aren't related to national security. (More terrorism stories.)

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