Maryland man accused of trying to support Islamic militants

BALTIMORE - A Maryland man is charged with attempting to provide material support to Islamic State militants, according to the FBI.

Mohamed Elshinawy, 30, of Edgewood, was arrested Friday after a months-long investigation.

An FBI affidavit says Elshinawy, who remains in federal custody after a court appearance Monday, received money he believed was provided by ISIL in order to conduct an attack on U.S. soil.

Elshinawy allegedly used social media, multiple email accounts and "pay as you go" phones subscribed to him under various aliases to communicate with the individuals he understood to be associated with ISIL.

Authorities say that when interviewed by FBI agents this summer, Elshinawy tried to conceal his support for ISIL, suggesting that he was scamming the group to take money from its members.

Elshinaway is charged with trying to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, obstruction of agency proceedings, and misleading investigators by making false statements and concealing material facts.

It was not immediately clear whether Elshinawy has an attorney.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.