The FBI has secretly arrested a now 17-year-old boy who allegedly conspired in a terrorism plot with Colleen “Jihad Jane” LaRose two years ago, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Family members told the newspaper that the boy, who had been headed to John Hopkins University on a full scholarship this fall, was questioned by the FBI without a parent or lawyer present at least eight times.
“Now we know that was a mistake,” a relative of the teen identified by the paper as “Muhammed K.” told the Inquirer. “We had thought everything was taken care of and fine because he talked to the FBI so many times - but the next thing you know, a year later, without any warning, the FBI took Mohammed away. It was a shock to us and to him.”
LaRose pleaded guilty to terror charges in February, while a Colorado-based conspirator pleaded guilty in March.
“Mohammed” was identified as co-conspirator number four in the indictment of LaRose, who plotted to murder a Swedish cartoonist who drew a picture of the prophet Muhammad. The indictment alleged that when the teen was 15 he tried to solicit money online on behalf of “respected sister” LaRose.
“The sister has been in touch with a brother [who] appealed for urgent funds stating that his resources are limited,” he allegedly wrote.
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