Texas men arrested for trying to aide terrorism in America and Syria

HOUSTON, June 18 (UPI) -- Federal authorities have arrested two men in Texas for supporting terrorists within American borders and intending to engage in a holy war in Syria.

Rahatul Ashikim Khan and Michael Todd Wolfe, both 23, were charged with conspiracy to provide material to support terrorists. Kahn was arrested in his home and Wolfe was detained while attempting to board a flight to Europe at George H.W. Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport.

According to the Justice Department, Kahn "conspired with others to recruit persons to travel overseas to support terrorist activities including committing violent jihad."

"[He] discussed guns, training, the war against Islam, his preparation for the Third World War, shooting and getting the youth interested in the knowledge of jihad (inner struggle/holy war) — something that Khan stated had caused conflict with his parents because he had snitched on some kids."

Wolfe has been charged with attempting to join al-Shabab, a jihadist group in Syria.

Over the course of months, undercover FBI agents met with Wolfe and his wife, discussing global politics, religion and Wolfe's increasingly emotional opinion on the ongoing Syrian civil war.

"[Wolfe] indicated that he had learned that al-Qaida in Syria was training brothers from other countries (foreign fighters) and then sending those fighters back from Syria to their home countries to conduct terror attacks."

If convicted, the two Texans could face up to 15 years in federal prison. Their detention hearing is scheduled for Friday.

"This case is the culmination of a long-term investigation by the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force made up of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in Central Texas," said U.S. Attorney Robert Pitman. "It's a textbook example of how well law enforcement agencies in this area work together."