WACO, Texas (AP) - Federal prosecutors said a disaster was averted when police foiled a Muslim soldier's plot to bomb Fort Hood troops.
Pfc. Naser Jason Abdo was convicted Thursday of six charges in Waco federal court. They include attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempted murder of U.S. officers or employees.
The 22-year-old faces up to life in prison when the judge sentences him in two months.
Authorities said Abdo had started assembling a bomb when he was detained last July at a Killeen motel. Less than 24 hours earlier, gun store workers had called police to report a young man who acted suspiciously. Police didn't know his name or background until he was in custody.
Since going AWOL from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, three weeks earlier, Abdo had eluded authorities.
In a recorded jail visit with his mother, Abdo said he wanted to seek justice for those in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Past Stories:
- May 23, 2012: Detective: Gun Store Buys Led Police To Soldier
- May 22, 2012: Jury Sees Video Of GI Buying Bomb-Making Items
- May 21, 2012: Fort Hood Bomb Plot Suspect Wears Mask In Court
- April 6, 2012: Lawyers: Throw Out Fort Hood Bomb Plot Confession
- Jan. 10, 2012: Trial For Soldier In Fort Hood Bomb Plot Delayed
- Dec. 22, 2011: Soldier Charged In Fort Hood Bomb Plot Gets Lawyer
- Nov. 17, 2011: Soldier Pleads Not Guilty To Bomb Plot Charges
- Nov. 9, 2011: New Charges Against Soldier In Fort Hood Bomb Plot
- Aug. 9, 2011: AWOL Soldier Indicted In Fort Hood Bomb Plot
- Aug. 4, 2011: Grand Jury To Hear Case Of Ft. Hood Plot Suspect
- July 30, 2011: Gun Shop Clerk Tipped Police to AWOL Soldier
- July 29, 2011: AWOL Soldier Defiant In 1st Court Appearance
- July 28, 2011: Police: AWOL Soldier Was Close To Fort Hood Attack
- July 20, 2011: Army: Muslim Soldier Opposed To War Is AWOL
- June 15, 2011: Muslim Soldier Opposed To War Faces Porn Charge
- Aug. 23, 2010: Muslim Soldier Claims To Be Conscientious Objector
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
