On Tuesday, the Brooklyn grand jury indicted former U.S. Air Force mechanic Tairod Nathan Webster Pugh for attempts to help ISIL. Pugh was arrested back in January after his attempt to cross into Syria and join the Islamic State was foiled. The veteran will plead not guilty, said his attorney.
Pugh was an avionics instrument system specialist in the U.S. Air Force during the years of 1986-1990 and thereafter worked at various companies as an avionics instrument system specialist; he was trained in the installation and maintenance of aircraft systems and weaponry. His work took to him to various parts of the United States as well as parts of the Middle East. The 47-year-old resides in Neptune, New Jersey and is an American citizen. He is charged with attempting to provide material support to the terrorist organization as well as obstructing justice.
The veteran allegedly converted to Islam in 1998 and lived in the Middle East for at least one year before being arrested. Pugh was fired from his employment in the Middle East before he attempted to cross into Syria through Turkey. There he was stopped at the border and deported back to the U.S. where he was arrested. The former Air Force mechanic has children back in the United States.
"Pugh, an American citizen and former member of our military, allegedly abandoned his allegiance to the United States and sought to provide material support to ISIL," said John Carlin Assistant U.S. Attorney General.
If convicted, Pugh can be sentenced up to 35 years in prison. Officials report that searches into Pugh's belongings brought evidence of his attempts to join the Islamic State. His laptop held recent Internet searches about IS controlled borders and crossing points from Turkey into Syria.
Among evidence found was a letter that read, "I will use the talents and skills given to me by Allah to establish and defend the Islamic States."
"We will continue to vigorously prosecute extremists, whether based here or abroad, to stop them before they are able to threaten the United States and its allies," said U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch on Tuesday. So far, 23 U.S. citizens have attempted to join the Islamic State.
