Maryland man charged with supporting African terror group
NEW YORK -- A Maryland man has been indicted on federal charges he provided material support to an al-Qaeda offshoot that has claimed responsibility for a series of deadly attacks in East Africa.
Authorities on Monday said 31-year-old Maalik Alim Jones traveled to Somalia in 2011 to fight on behalf of the al Shabaab militant group. They say Jones learned how to fire an AK-47 and rocket-propelled grenade, then used his training to attack the Kenyan government.
"Maalik Alim Jones was charged with providing material support to al Shabaab and receiving training from the terrorist organization," said Assistant Attorney General Carlin in a press release. "The National Security Division's highest priority is counterterrorism and we will continue to hold accountable those who seek to provide material support to terrorists."
Jones appeared in federal court in Manhattan on Dec. 19 to face charges that include conspiracy to provide material support to al Shabaab and possessing, carrying, and using firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence. Information on his lawyer wasn't immediately available.
According to the allegations in the indictment and the complaint, which was unsealed on Monday, in or about July 2011, Jones traveled from New York to Kenya. After arriving in Kenya, Jones traveled by land from Kenya to Somalia where he trained, worked and fought with al Shabaab in Somalia.
"Among other things, Jones received military training at an al Shabaab training camp, where he learned to operate an AK-47 assault rifle and rocket-propelled grenades," the press release said. "Jones also became a member of al Shabaab's specialized fighting force, Jaysh Ayman, and participated in combat against soldiers of the Kenyan government on behalf of al Shabaab."
According to the DOJ press release, Jones has appeared with other al Shabaab fighters in at least two videos that were recovered from an al Shabaab fighter. In one of the videos, Jones possessed a firearm, and is seen with several al Shabaab fighters who, on June 14, 2015, participated in an attack on a Kenyan Defense Force base in Lamu County, Kenya, during which two Kenyan soldiers were killed, authorities say.
If convicted, Jones faces up to life in prison.