CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y., April 21 (UPI) -- A Long Island man was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for trying to join al-Qaida in Yemen.
Attorneys for Marcos Alonso Zea, 26, pushed for a lighter sentence of 10 years Monday, arguing he never made it to the Arabian peninsula and had not committed any acts of terrorism or violence. But U.S. District Judge Sandra Feuerstein said a longer sentence would deter Zea and any others from committing future similar acts.
"I think a message has to be sent to others that this is absolutely not acceptable," the judge said in imposing the sentence.
In 2012, Zea traveled from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York to London but was turned away when he could not explain to authorities why he wanted to go to Yemen and why he did not have a visa to enter the country. He tried the trip again in 2013 and was arrested at JFK.
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Authorities said Zea destroyed his computer once he learned he was under investigation in an attempt to conceal information. Investigators were able to determine he had read radical literature and gave money to friend Justin Kaliebe, who was also planning to travel to Yemen. Kaliebe pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to provide support to a foreign terrorist organization and is awaiting trial.
"Marcos Alonso Zea presents a chilling reminder of the danger presented to the United States by homegrown terrorists," U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch said. "Born, raised and schooled in the United States, the defendant nevertheless betrayed his country by attempting to join al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, assisting a co-conspirator's attempt to join that terrorist group, and, after learning he was under investigation, attempting to destroy evidence of his guilt. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect our national security from all enemies, both foreign and domestic."
