A onetime Air Force serviceman turned ISIS supporter is set to be sentenced to prison in federal court later today.
Tairod Pugh, 48, tried to travel to Syria to join with ISIS fighters but he was stopped in Istanbul and sent back to the U.S. where he was arrested by the FBI in March 2015.
Pugh was convicted this past March after claiming his innocence. Prosecutors pointed out his writings, including one letter to his wife voicing support for ISIS and telling her he was trying to become a martyr.
Pugh had served in the Air Force as a mechanic more than 20 years ago. But officials said he became increasingly radical after the 9/11 attacks, culminating with his attempts to travel overseas in 2015.
Pugh is one of dozens of suspects arrested for trying to travel overseas. The FBI has said it has investigations ongoing in all 50 states into suspected extremists.
Pugh’s lawyers have promised to appeal the conviction. Judge Nicolas Garrafus is expected to hand down the sentence on the terror-related charges in Brooklyn federal court, charges which carry a maximum of up to 35 years in prison.
from NBC New York - Top Stories http://ift.tt/2qAL3dL
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