California man gets 30 years for trying to join terror group
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SANTA ANA -- A Southern California man convicted of trying to become a fighter for ISIS has been sentenced to 30 years prison.
US District Judge David O. Carter gave the sentence Monday to 25-year-old Nader Elhuzayel of Anaheim.
In June, a jury convicted Elhuzayel and co-defendant Muhanad Badawi of conspiracy to aid a foreign terrorist organization. Badawi will be sentenced in October.
Federal authorities say the two men talked of becoming "martyrs" and last year concocted a scheme for Elhuzayel to reach Syria.
Prosecutors say Badawi used money from a college grant to help Elhuzayel buy a plane ticket to the Middle East. They also say Elhuzayel got money by depositing stolen checks in his accounts.
Elhuzayel was also convicted of 26 counts of bank fraud.