The Filipino-American accused of being involved in a plot to join Al-Qaeda insurgents for military training in Afghanistan appeared in federal court for the first time, with his fellow defendants on Wednesday, December 19, to plead not guilty on charges of conspiracy to support terrorists.
Filipino-American Ralph Deleon and two other California men excited at the prospect of training in Afghanistan to become terrorists prepared, authorities say, by simulating combat with paintball rifles, wiping their Facebook profiles of any Islamic references and concocting cover stories.
A Filipino-American, along with three Southern California men, has been charged with plotting to kill Americans and destroy US targets overseas by joining al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan, federal officials said Monday.
