Md. man pleads guilty to aiding terrorists

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PHILADELPHIA, May 4 (UPI) -- A Maryland resident pleaded guilty Friday to conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, the Justice Department said.

The guilty plea from Mohammad Hassan Khalid, 18, a Pakistani citizen and U.S. lawful permanent resident who lives in Maryland, arises from his participation in a scheme to support, recruit and coordinate members of a conspiracy planning to wage jihad in and around Europe, the Justice Department said in a release.

Khalid was charged with one count of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists in a superseding indictment returned Oct. 20. He could be sentenced up to 15 years in prison and fined up to $250,000.

Court documents indicate from 2008 through July 2011, Khalid and co-defendant Ali Charaf Damache -- who is being tried in Ireland on unrelated charges -- conspired with Colleen LaRose, Jamie Paulin Ramirez and others to provide support and resources such as logistical and financial support, recruitment services, identification documents and personnel, to a conspiracy to kill overseas.

The guilty plea was before U.S. District Judge Petrese B. Tucker in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

"Today's plea, which involved a radicalized teen in Maryland who connected with like-minded individuals around the globe via the Internet, underscores the evolving nature of violent extremism today," Assistant Attorney General Lisa Monaco said.