Minnesota Man Accused of Lying about Islamic State Contact
MINNEAPOLIS -- A Minnesota man accused of lying to the FBI about when he last contacted the Islamic State group is expected to plead guilty next month.
Twenty-three-year-old Abdul Raheem Habil Ali-Skelton is charged with one count of making a false statement to FBI agents.
Prosecutors say Ali-Skelton told the FBI last July that his last contact with Syrian-based members of the militant organization was in May or early June 2015. But prosecutors say Ali-Skelton knew he'd communicated with members of the group as recently as July 4.
Ali-Skelton's attorney, Robert Richman, says Ali-Skelton was scared and has since admitted the comments he initially gave the FBI were untrue. Richman says Ali-Skelton isn't an operative of the Islamic State group and isn't dangerous.
Ali-Skelton remains free. A court date hasn't been scheduled.