USA

New York Man Arrested for Trying to Join al-Qaida

Sandra Zea speaks to reporters outside the U.S. District Courthouse in Central Islip, N.Y., following the arraignment of hers son Marcos Alonzo Zea, Oct. 18, 2013.

U.S. authorities have arrested a 25-year-old New York man on charges that he tried to join an Al-Qaida-related organization in Yemen and conspired to commit murders overseas.

Marcos Alonso Zea, as known as "Ali Zea," was arrested Friday at his home in Brentwood, on Long Island.

He is charged with with conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country, attempting to support terrorists and al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, known as Ansar al-Sharia, and obstruction of justice.

He pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail.

Last year, Zea attempted to fly to Yemen but was stopped by British officials because he lacked the documents to enter Yemen. He was returned to the United States.