Ohio man arrested boarding plane to allegedly join ISIS
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The government says an Ohio man accused of trying to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has been arrested while attempting to fly to Libya.
The federal prosecutor in Columbus says Aaron Daniels was taken into custody Monday at John Glenn Columbus International Airport after a monthslong investigation.
The complaint against Daniels alleges he purchased an airline ticket on November 5th 2016 to travel from Columbus to Trinidad and Tobago via Houston on United Airlines.
Daniels allegedly told an undercover FBI agent that he wanted to travel to Trinidad as the beginning of his trip to Libya.
His flights were scheduled to leave on Monday Nov. 7th. He had previously told an undercover FBI informant that he had an interest in traveling to Libya for the purpose of engaging in violent jihad on behalf of ISIS.
He was arrested when he arrived at the airport on November 7th. After his arrest he admitted he was attempting to fly overseas to join jihad.
U.S. Attorney Benjamin Glassman says Daniels wired $250 to now-deceased ISIS operative Abu Isa Al-Amriki in January.
CBS Columbus affiliate WBNS reports the complaint also states that Daniels set up email addresses and a social media account using the aliases Harun Muhammad and Abu Yusef. He used those accounts to expresses his interested in jihad and to seek funding to travel to Syria and Afghanistan.
Daniels made an initial court appearance in federal court wearing ankle and wrist chains. He was read his rights but wasn’t required to enter a plea.
Magistrate Judge Terence Kemp scheduled a Thursday morning bond hearing.
Daniels’ court-appointed attorney declined to comment.
