Tairod Nathan Webster Pugh: Air Force veteran denies trying to join ISIS charge

US Air Force veteran Tairod Nathan Webster Pugh, who is accused of trying to join Islamic State (ISIS), has appeared in court in New York and denied all charges.

Tairod Nathan Webster Pugh, 47, spoke only to repeat his name to the judge.

His lawyer, Michael K. Schneider, entered the plea on his behalf.

The former New Jersey aircraft mechanic has been charged with trying to provide material support to a terrorist group and obstructing justice.

Tairod Nathan Webster Pugh was stopped at a Turkish airport in January with a laptop that had detailed information on border crossings into Syria and jihadist videos, according to court papers.

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A letter he allegedly wrote to a woman thought to be his wife says: “I will use the talents and skills given to me by Allah to establish and defend the Islamic States.”

Tairod Nathan Webster Pugh is an American citizen who was born and raised in the US, prosecutors say.

According to a statement from the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, Tairod Nathan Webster Pugh served as an avionics specialist and mechanic in the US Air Force.

After he left the military, Tairod Nathan Webster Pugh did similar work for several companies in the United States and the Middle East.

Judge Nicholas Garaufis arranged for another hearing in May to review the evidence and discuss the plea.

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