Dearborn Man Admits to Lying About Plan to Join Terror Group

DEARBORN, MI — A Dearborn man said Monday that he lied to federal agents about traveling to Lebanon to see a dentist and admitted that he planned to join the terrorist group Hezbollah and fight in Syria.

Mohammad Hassan Hamdan, 24, appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Gerald Rosen and pleaded guilty to making false statements to federal agents involving terrorism.

Hamdan was taken into custody at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport on March 16, 2014, as he was boarding a plane to Lebanon.

Initially, Hamdan told federal agents that he was traveling to Lebanon for a dental procedure; however Hamdan had previously told a confidential informant that he was going to Lebanon to join Hezbollah.

“This case highlights the significance of the investigative work being done by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Detroit,” David P. Gelios, special agent in charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, said in a statement.

Prosecutors in the case provided evidence that indicated that Hamdan had packed up all his possessions, given his car to a family member and sold his house.

“It is illegal to lie to federal agents because false statements undermine their ability to investigate crime,” U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade said in the statement. “Here, Mr. Hamdan lied to cover up his intent to travel overseas to fight with Hezbollah, a group that have been designated by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization.”

Hamdan’s sentencing is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Nov. 14.

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