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The Associated Press
Minneapolis

Minnesota man accused of lying about ISIS

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A Minnesota man accused of lying to the FBI about when he last contacted ISIS is expected to plead guilty next month, his attorney said Wednesday.

Abdul Raheem Habil Ali-Skelton, 23, is charged in U.S. District Court with one count of making a false statement to FBI agents.

Prosecutors say Ali-Skelton told the FBI last July that his last contact with Syrian-based members of the militant organization was in May or early June 2015. But prosecutors say Ali-Skelton knew he'd communicated with members of the group as recently as last July 4.

Ali-Skelton's attorney, Robert Richman, said his client was scared and made some comments to the FBI that he has since admitted were untrue. Richman did not elaborate on the nature of the alleged contact with members of the militant group.

"I can tell you that there is no suggestion that Mr. Ali-Skelton was any sort of operative of ISIS or sleeper cell or terrorist or anything else, which is why he is still walking around on the street, because no one perceives him to be a danger," Richman said.

Richman said he anticipates Ali-Skelton will plead guilty to the false statements charge next month. A court date hasn't been scheduled. Because the charge is related to a terrorism investigation, it carries a maximum sentence of eight years in prison.

Ben Petok, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office, said Ali-Skelton is not charged as part of a larger conspiracy case, in which 10 Minnesota men are accused of conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State group. Four of those men have pleaded guilty, five await a May trial, and the last defendant is believed to be in Syria.