Northern California Man Accused Of Trying To Join Terrorist Group

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A California man is facing federal charges after prosecutors say he tried to join a terrorist group active in Syria.

An indictment unsealed on Thursday charges 22-year-old Adam Shafi, of Fremont, California, with one count of attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Abraham Simmons, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office, said Shafi pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors say Shafi in telephone calls with friends earlier this year expressed his love for the head of the terrorist group, al-Nusrah Front, and said he was content dying with the group. Shafi was stopped on June 30 at San Francisco International Airport, where prosecutors say he planned to board a flight to Turkey, a common point of entry for foreign fighters trying to get into Syria.

He was arrested a few days later.

Shafi's case has no connection to the Dec. 2 attack in San Bernardino, California.