Fort Lee, NJ man admits plotting to back Islamic State group

ByAssociated Press AP logo
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
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NEWARK, N.J. -- A New Jersey man has admitted that he conspired with three other men to provide material support to the Islamic State group.

Fort Lee resident Samuel Rahamin Topaz pleaded guilty to the charge Wednesday. He remains locked up without bail and faces up to 20 years in prison when he's sentenced Nov. 18.

Federal agents arrested Topaz at his home in June.

Authorities say Topaz admitted that he sympathized with the Islamic State group and its activity, that he watched Islamic State group videos that depicted beheadings and that he agreed with the three other men to travel abroad to join the Islamic State group.

Three men accused of being Topaz's co-conspirators - Nader Saadeh, Alaa Saadeh and Munther Omar Saleh - face similar charges and remain in federal custody