2 California Men In Islamic State Case Face New Charges

SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com/AP) — Two California men authorities say conspired to join the Islamic State group are facing new charges of bank and financial aid fraud.

A new federal indictment Wednesday charges Nader Elhuzayel with 25 counts of bank fraud. It claims he deposited stolen checks in his accounts and then withdrew cash earlier this year.

Muhanad Badawi is charged with improperly using federal financial aid to buy Elhuzayel a plane ticket to Turkey.

Authorities contend the Anaheim men concocted a scheme for Elhuzayel to fly to the Middle East to fight for the Islamic State. He was detained at the Los Angeles airport last month.

The men earlier pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiring to provide support to a foreign terrorist organization.

They remain in federal custody.

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