SANTA ANA, Calif., July 21 (UPI) -- Federal authorities have confirmed the arrest of a California man who attempted to fly to Syria to join the militant group ISIS, now known as the Islamic State.
A federal grand jury indicted 20-year-old Adam Dandach for lying on his passport application following his July 2 arrest at John Wayne Airport where he attempted to fly to Istanbul, hoping to eventually fly to Syria and join "a known terrorist organization."
In June, Dandach told authorities he had accidentally thrown away his passport and needed a new one. The FBI determined this was a lie. Dandach had tried to leave the U.S in December 2013 but his mother took his passport, fearing her son would try to fly to the Middle East.
While in custody, Dandach admitted to the FBI's charges and expressed to authorities that "he was more disappointed that he did not get to go to Syria than in getting in trouble with law enforcement."
"[Dandach] would assist ISIS with anything the ISIS asked him to do, and he believed the killings of U.S. soldiers are justified killings."
Dandach is charged with one count of falsifying information on a U.S. passport application and using a passport secured by making false statements. He is being held by U.S. Marshals in California without bail.
