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 Muhanad Badawi and Nader Elhuzayel, residents of Anaheim, appeared
in federal court in Santa Ana to face additional charges of bank and
financial aid fraud that had been added to charges of conspiring to
provide material support to the Islamic State, designated a
terrorist group by the U.S. government.
Federal prosecutors have accused Elhuzayel, 25, of depositing stolen
checks, drawn on three U.S. bank accounts, into his personal account
and then withdrawing the money. Badawi, 24, is accused of using
federal financial aid intended for his studies to buy Elhuzayel a
plane ticket to Turkey, where he could move on to Syria and link up
with Islamic State.
During Monday's court hearing, Elhuzayel said: "Ridiculous, not
guilty," when asked to enter his plea to the financial fraud
charges, the Orange County Register reported.
 The allegations against the two men represent one of the most recent
cases of U.S. authorities cracking down on individuals they believe
are seeking to join Islamic State, which is fighting in Syria and
Iraq.
Badawi's attorney, Kate Corrigan, told the Orange County Register
the allegations of financial fraud "are a clear indication that the
government believes it has a problem with the original charges."
The FBI said in a statement earlier this month the new indictment
"reiterates the previous charges against Elhuzayel and Badawi."
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, on May 3, Elhuzayel tweeted
his support for two men who that day attacked an exhibit of
caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad in Garland, Texas, and were shot
to death by police.
Badawi and Elhuzayel were also recorded talking to each other when
they expressed support for the Islamic State, an affidavit said.
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Elhuzayel, who is a naturalized U.S. citizen, was arrested at Los
Angeles International Airport and admitted he had planned to travel
to Istanbul in order to move towards Turkey's border with Syria,
where he would join Islamic State, authorities said.
Badawi had indicated he planned to eventually travel to the Middle
East, prosecutors said.
The two men face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of aiding the
Islamic State. In addition, Elhuzayel faces up to 30 years for bank
fraud and Badawi up to five years on the financial aid fraud count,
the FBI said.
Trial is set for next year.
(Reporting by Victoria Cavaliere; Editing by Edmund Klamann)
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