Law enforcement officials have said that a U.S. Air Force veteran allegedly attempted to join the terrorist group ISIS, but was denied entry into Syria.
The Associated Press noted that Tairod Nathan Webster Pugh, 47, of New Jersey was indicted on federal charges of attempting to provide material support to a terrorist group and obstruction of justice. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday and his lawyer said he plans to enter a not guilty plea.
Prosecutors claim that Pugh, who was recently fired from his aircraft mechanic job in the Middle East, traveled from Egypt to Turkey and tried to cross into Syria allegedly to join ISIS. After that failed attempt, he was deported to the U.S. and investigators said they found evidence on his laptop of searches about border patrols and a letter allegedly written for his wife.
“I will use the talents and skills given to me by Allah to establish and defend the Islamic States. There is only two possible outcomes for me. Victory or martyr," the letter read.
CNN noted that Assistant U.S. Attorney General John Carlin had this to say about the veteran, "Pugh, an American citizen and former member of our military, allegedly abandoned his allegiance to the United States and sought to provide material support to ISIL.”
Pugh was arrested in New Jersey on Jan. 16. If he is convicted he faces more than three decades behind bars.