Minnesota Terrorism Suspect Enters Not Guilty Plea

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minneapolis man who was stopped at a New York City airport in November as he and three others were allegedly trying to travel to Syria has pleaded not guilty to charges associated with supporting the Islamic State group.

Nineteen-year-old Hamza Ahmed entered his plea Wednesday in U.S. District Court.

He's charged with one count of conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State group, one count of attempting to provide material support, and one count of lying to the FBI during a terrorism investigation.

Ahmed is in custody. He was ordered detained earlier this month after a magistrate judge found he posted threatening comments on Twitter.

His trial is scheduled for April 20.

Authorities say a handful of Minnesota residents have traveled to Syria to fight with militants.