U.S. citizen pleads guilty to training with al Qaeda

[jmc247]

Source: Reuters

An American man who traveled to Somalia to support Islamic rule there has pleaded guilty to training with al Qaeda, officials said on Friday.

Daniel Joseph Maldonado, 28, was arrested in Kenya on Jan. 21 after he and suspected Islamic jihadists, or Muslims engaged in holy war, fled to escape a U.S.-backed effort to defeat Islamic militant takeover in Somalia.

U.S. Justice Department officials said Maldonado, who also used the name Daniel Aljughaifi, pleaded guilty to a charge of training with al Qaeda, which is illegal for U.S. citizens.

U.S. District Judge Gray Miller set sentencing for June 29. Maldonado could receive 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, officials said.

Read more: http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2007-04-20T195204Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-294994-1.xml&archived=False

[iconoclastic cat]

1. I'm curious: Why the fine?

What's the point in fining that type of crime?

[jmc247]

2. That isn't the sentance he got

That is the max sentance he could get when the judge decides his pentality.

[iconoclastic cat]

3. I understand, but I still wonder why a fine would even be imposed. nt