ISIS: Air Force vet caught trying to enter Syria to join ISIS terrorists
- 9 years ago
A U.S. Air Force veteran who was fired from his job in the Middle East as an airplane mechanic was arrested after he tried to join ISIS in Syria, U.S. authorities have alleged in a two-count indictment announced Tuesday.
Tairod Nathan Webster Pugh, 47, was indicted by a grand jury this week on charges of trying to give material support to a terror group and obstruction of justice, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Pugh is accused of trying to cross into Syria from Turkey in January. He had traveled to Turkey from Egypt, but was turned back by Turkish authorities before he could get to Syria. He was detained back in Egypt, where he was reportedly carrying multiple electronic devices, "including four USB thumb drives that had been stripped of their plastic casings and an iPod that had been wiped clean of data," the Justice Department said in a statement.
Pugh was later deported back to the United States, where he was arrested upon arrival by agents with the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force. The agency said they obtained a warrant for his devices, including the laptop, where investigators discovered recent Internet searches for information on "borders controlled by Islamic state," and a chart of crossing points between Turkey and Syria.
Agents also found "Internet searches for 'Flames of War,' an ISIL propaganda video, as well as downloaded videos, including one showing ISIL members executing prisoners," the Justice Department said.
The government says 180 jihadist propaganda videos, one of which showed ISIS members executing prisoners, were found on the device as well.
Investigators discovered a letter addressed to a Misha, whom they believe is Pugh’s wife, authorities said. The letter says: "I am a (Mujahedeen). I am a sword against the oppressor and a shield for the oppressed. I will use the talents and skills given to me by Allah to establish and defend the Islamic States."
Pugh will be arraigned Wednesday in a federal court in New York, the Justice Department said. He will plead not guilty, according to his attorney, Michael Schneider.
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Tairod Nathan Webster Pugh, 47, was indicted by a grand jury this week on charges of trying to give material support to a terror group and obstruction of justice, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Pugh is accused of trying to cross into Syria from Turkey in January. He had traveled to Turkey from Egypt, but was turned back by Turkish authorities before he could get to Syria. He was detained back in Egypt, where he was reportedly carrying multiple electronic devices, "including four USB thumb drives that had been stripped of their plastic casings and an iPod that had been wiped clean of data," the Justice Department said in a statement.
Pugh was later deported back to the United States, where he was arrested upon arrival by agents with the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force. The agency said they obtained a warrant for his devices, including the laptop, where investigators discovered recent Internet searches for information on "borders controlled by Islamic state," and a chart of crossing points between Turkey and Syria.
Agents also found "Internet searches for 'Flames of War,' an ISIL propaganda video, as well as downloaded videos, including one showing ISIL members executing prisoners," the Justice Department said.
The government says 180 jihadist propaganda videos, one of which showed ISIS members executing prisoners, were found on the device as well.
Investigators discovered a letter addressed to a Misha, whom they believe is Pugh’s wife, authorities said. The letter says: "I am a (Mujahedeen). I am a sword against the oppressor and a shield for the oppressed. I will use the talents and skills given to me by Allah to establish and defend the Islamic States."
Pugh will be arraigned Wednesday in a federal court in New York, the Justice Department said. He will plead not guilty, according to his attorney, Michael Schneider.
-------------------------------------------------------------
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Visit our official website for all the latest, uncensored videos: http://us.tomonews.net
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