A suburban Chicago man accused of trying to join al-Qaida-affiliated fighters in Syria pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday.
Abdella Ahmad Tounisi, 21, pleadeed guilty to one count of attempted to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Tounisi was arrested was arrested at Chicago O'Hare International Airport in 2013 trying to board a plane for Turkey. Prosecutors said the Aurora man hoped to join Nusra Front.
Tounisi earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Molly Armour, told a federal judge in March that he planned to change the plea. She and a prosecutor said the sides expected to seal a plea agreement within several weeks.
Prosecutors typically recommend lower sentences if defendants agree to plead guilty.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 9.
