A Maryland teen from Pakistan is in secret U.S. custody, accused of trying to help recruit terrorists for the Pennsylvania woman known as "Jihad Jane," according to a source close to the family.
Charges filed last month accuse the 17-year-old boy of helping Colleen LaRose in her alleged efforts to incite an Islamic holy war.
The high school graduate had accepted a full scholarship to Johns Hopkins University, according to the source. Now, the teen is in custody at a youth facility in Berks County, Pa. He could have his case moved to adult court when he turns 18 next month.
A law-enforcement source confirmed the details to The Associated Press. Both sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren't authorized to speak publicly about the case.
Relatives of suspect 'feel cheated'
The Philadelphia Inquirer first reported on the teen's arrest in Friday editions.
The Inquirer reported that the boy, named as "Mohammed K.", emigrated with his family to the United States four years ago.
The boy's relatives told the Inquirer that he was questioned by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation without a parent or lawyer present at least eight times.
"Now we know that was a mistake," the Inquirer quoted a relative as saying. "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, of Pennsburg, Pa., has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, including providing an American passport, and lying to the FBI about it, according to the Inquirer. A coconspirator, Jamie Paulin-Ramirez, of Colo., has pleaded guilty to providing material aid to terrorists.
