A Tucson, Ariz., man was arrested Friday for expressing support for the Islamic State after he made contact with the terrorist organization about acquiring weapons and bomb-making resources for an attack, according to legal documents the Associated Press cited late Wednesday.
The FBI first detected Mahin Khan, who turned 18 last month, in April when he was still a minor. In the three months of tracking Khan’s communications with the Islamic state, federal officials said he offered to help the militant group carry out an attack in America.
Khan had asked the group for funds to buy firearms, but when the person he was talking with shot down his request, he instead asked for instructions about building a bomb. The documents indicate he had planned to attack an Air Force recruitment center in Tucson.
The suspect also contacted an alleged member of the Pakistan Taliban, a violent organization referred to as the TTP.
Khan has been charged with two counts of terrorism and conspiracy to commit terrorism. He appeared in court Saturday and is being held in Phoenix without bond until his preliminary hearing July 12. The defendant has not entered a plea.
