Prosecutor: American planned to aid al-Qaida

AP foreign, Monday October 21 2013

LINDA DEUTSCH

AP Special Correspondent= LOS ANGELES (AP) - A 24-year-old American charged with attempting to assist al-Qaida in international terrorism was enticed into confessing to an undercover FBI agent who posed as a recruiter for the extremist organization and provided him with a false passport, a prosecutor told a judge Monday.

In an extensive inquiry, U.S. District Judge John Walter demanded more information on the case against Sinh Vinh Ngo Nguyen of Garden Grove, expressing skepticism about some of the evidence. His questioning revealed new facts about the case that depicts Nguyen as a wannabe terrorist with no special skills to offer al-Qaida.

Nguyen appeared in court with his hands shackled to his waist. His appearance was dramatically changed from the time of his arrest, when he had long hair and a beard. He was clean shaven with a close cropped haircut and made no comment during the hearing. He was ordered held without bail.

Nguyen has pleaded not guilty to two charges of making a false statement on a passport and attempting to provide material support and resources to a terrorist organization.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]