By GILLIAN FLACCUS
Associated Press Writer
SANTA ANA, California- A California prison inmate accused of masterminding a terrorism plot against U.S. military sites and other targets pleaded not guilty on Monday.
Kevin James, 29, was ordered held without bail on charges of conspiracy to levy war against the United States through terrorism and conspiracy to possess and discharge firearms in furtherance of violent crimes.
Shackled, James said nothing during the five-minute proceeding, but was represented by a court-appointed attorney.
Prosecutors allege that while imprisoned for attempted robbery, James founded an organization based on a radical interpretation of Islam and preached to recruits it was their duty to attack “infidels” including the U.S. government and supporters of Israel.
The indictment alleges that the conspiracy targeted domestic U.S. military sites, Israeli facilities in the Los Angeles area including the local consulate and an El Al airline counter, and synagogues. James was named in two of the seven counts. Three other men named in the indictment pleaded not guilty in earlier proceedings.
James’ public defender, Robert Carlin, said his client was “surprised and shocked” to learn that the government believes he orchestrated a terror plot.
“I think he’s very concerned,” Carlin said. “But an indictment is pretty worthless. It’s just a series of accusations the government makes having gone before the grand jury.”
Authorities have said local police agencies uncovered the alleged plot while investigating a string of gas station robberies they believe were intended to finance the scheme.
The indictment also accuses James of providing “spiritual and tactical guidance, and support” to three other defendants: Levar Haley Washington, 25; Gregory Vernon Patterson, 21; and Hammad Riaz Samana, 21.
Washington was formerly a state prison inmate and Patterson was formerly a student at California State University, Northridge. Samana has been identified as a former student from Pakistan.