Keys Backpack Bomb Suspect Competent To Stand Trial

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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) - A Key West man who the state claims wanted to set off a backpack bomb on the beach has been found competent to stand trial.

On Monday, a defense attorney and a federal prosecutor said in a joint court filing that Harlem Suarez is mentally fit. A judge ordered Suarez examined by a psychologist after attorney Richard Della Fera raised questions about his competency.

Suarez allegedly told an FBI informant he wanted to detonate a bomb on a Key West beach. He was arrested in July after accepting an inert device from an FBI employee posing as an Islamic State member.

Suarez is charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and terrorism support.

Trial is set to begin April 4th.

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