Florida Teen Pleads Not Guilty To Terror Aid Charges
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — A Florida teen accused of conspiring to aid al-Qaida has pleaded not guilty in federal court.
Shelton Thomas Bell, from Jacksonville, entered the not guilty pleas Monday to two federal counts of trying to provide material support to terrorists.
An indictment says Bell, 19, planned to join Ansar Al-Sharia, which is an alias for al-Qaida in the Middle East region. The group has taken responsibility for attacks on Yemeni forces, including a suicide bombing during a parade in May 2012, That attack killed more than 100 Yemeni soldiers.
Investigators say Bell participated in physical, firearm and other training in Florida to prepare for armed conflict. Bell is also accused of soliciting others to travel overseas with him to train.
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