ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 22 (UPI) -- The arrest of a Virginia man allegedly linked to threatening messages to "South Park" producers shows extremism can happen anywhere, a U.S. official said.
The U.S. Justice Department announced the arrest of Zachary Adam Chesser, 20, on charges of providing material support to the Somali terrorist group al-Shabaab.
Al-Shabaab, an Islamist militia with ties to al-Qaida, claimed responsibility for two attacks July 11 in Kampala that killed more than 70 people.
Chesser reportedly told federal agents he tried twice to join al-Shabaab. He was prevented from boarding a July flight to Uganda where he said he planned to travel to Somalia to become a foreign fighter.
The U.S. Justice Department said Chesser was traveling with his infant son to disguise his plans.
"This case exposes the disturbing reality that extreme radicalization can happen anywhere, including Northern Virginia," said U.S. Attorney Neil MacBride in the Justice Department announcement.
Chesser had ties to the Islamic group Revolution Muslim, which posted threatening messages to the creators of Comedy Central's animated series "South Park," The Washington Post reports. An episode of the program that aired this spring and that depicted the Islamic Prophet Mohammed dressed in a bear suit had been altered because of perceived chances of violence.
Chesser was due in a Virginia court Thursday.
