HOUSTON (AP) - A man who told undercover agents he has "no loyalty for America" has been charged with trying to build a bomb and sell it to an affiliate of al-Qaida, officials said Monday.
Ronald A. Grecula, 68, of Bangor, Pa., was arrested Friday in Houston during a meeting with undercover FBI agents, U.S. Attorney Michael Shelby said. At the meeting, Grecula indicated willingness to build and sell an explosive device that would be used against Americans, officials alleged in court documents.
Grecula was set to appear in court Monday afternoon. He has been charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, specifically al-Qaida, a news release from Shelby's office said.
If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison and fined $250,000.
He dealt with an undercover officer who he thought was a member of al-Qaida, the release said. A confidential source had introduced the agent to Grecula, it said.
