JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A 19-year-old Florida man accused of conspiring to aid al-Qaida and traveling to the Middle East to join terrorist groups in Yemen waived his bail hearing.
Shelton Thomas Bell, of Jacksonville, is charged with two federal counts of trying to provide material support to terrorists. His attorney said Thursday there was no need to decide bail on federal charges because he is already in state custody on grand theft charges.
Bell is accused of stealing money and computers to finance his trip to the Middle East.
A judge granted public defender Lisa Call's request that Bell be allowed to re-address the federal bail if anything changes in the state's case.
If convicted of the federal crimes, Bell could face up to 30 years in prison.
