Minnesota Man Sentenced for Terrorism Related Conviction
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota man has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for lying to the FBI about his social media exchanges with Islamic State group recruiters.
Twenty-three-year-old Abdul Raheem Ali-Skelton, of Glencoe, pleaded guilty in April to lying about his communications with the group.
Prosecutors argued Tuesday for a five-year sentence. Minnesota Public Radio reports (http://bit.ly/2id8vtq ) that Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Kovats said Ali-Skelton maintained secret contact with "the worst of the worst of terrorist organizations."
Ali-Skelton apologized and distanced himself from IS ideology, saying he never supported terrorism. His attorney cited mental health issues, saying communicating with the group made Ali-Skelton feel important.
The case was separate from a terrorism conspiracy case that ended in the sentencing of nine young Minnesota men in November.