US man gets 13 years in prison for trying to aid Al Qaeda via internet
LOS ANGELES
ONLINE
A California man who used Facebook and other Internet communications to connect with Al Qaeda and planned to train its fighters in Pakistan was sentenced Monday to 13 years in US federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.
Sinh Vinh Ngo Nguyen, 25, of Garden Grove, pleaded guilty in December to one count of attempting to assist a known terrorist organisation.
‘‘I simply do not understand how we can rehabilitate his commitment to die for his beliefs,’’ US District Court Judge John F Walter commented while discussing what potential threat Nguyen might pose after his release.
Nguyen shook his head no when the judge asked if he would like to make any remarks.
Defense counsel Yasmin Cader said that while in custody Nguyen was diagnosed with a personality disorder ‘‘on the spectrum of schizophrenia’’ and now that it’s being treated ‘‘all of this magical thinking has stopped.’’ The public defender also said there was little expertise Nguyen could offer to a terrorist organisation.
