Iraqi Refugee Facing Terror-Related Charges Denied Bail
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Friday's arraignment gave us a good look at the Sacramento resident arrested on terror-related charges.
Our cameras were not allowed inside the courtroom, but we obtained audio recordings of the proceedings.
Sketches give us our first look at Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab sitting in an 8th floor courtroom at the Federal Courthouse in Downtown Sacramento.
"You have the right to remain silent, anything you say may be held against you here today," said U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn Delaney.
Facing a judge for the first time, Al-Jayab appeared in an orange jumpsuit with his arms and legs shackled, charged with lying to federal agents about his activities overseas.
Al-Jayab had moved to the U.S. in 2012, but a year later left the country, claiming he was traveling to Turkey to visit his grandmother.
He denied traveling to Syria where he allegedly fought alongside extremist groups, including ISIS.
"As the government acknowledges, there is no indication that Al-Jayab planned any acts of terrorism in this country," said an attorney for Al-Jayab.
Attorney Ben Galloway stressing that his client posed no threat to the public, that his alleged overseas activities were over 2 years old, and that Al-Jayab is a student and works in Sacramento.
After reviewing the criminal complaint detailing Al-Jayab's communication on social media and his use of weapons, the judge ordered that he be held without bail, saying he did, represent a flight risk and is a danger to the community.
"There are no conditions that would reasonably assure the safety of the community," the judge says.
There was no family in court, but Al-Jayab's brother Sameer also had appeared before a judge in a completely different case, not involving terrorist activities.
Aljaybeh and his 19-year-old younger brother, Sameer, were arrested after they volunteered to go into FBI offices for questioning.
Sameer lives in Wisconsin, and had only been in Sacramento for about a day. He was charged with buying and selling and transporting what are believed to be stolen goods -- from phones, to TVs, and computers.
Sameer was released on a $25,000 bond and is expected to appear in a Milwaukee courtroom on Monday morning.
Meanwhile earlier in the day, a second terror suspect was arraigned in Texas as part of the terror sweep. Twenty-four-year-old Mar Al Hardan is also an Iraqi refugee who was granted permanent legal status in 2011. Hardan was detained on three charges related to providing material support to the Islamic State/
And while there's evidence of Al-Jayab communicating with an unidentified person in Houston about weapons training, officials have not said whether the cases have any links.
We're told Al-Jayab is being held in a Sacramento jail where he is fully shackled at all times. His next court appearance is on January 22. If convicted, he faces up to 8 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
