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Grand Jury Indicts 2 Men For Allegedly Trying To Provide Support To ISIS, Attacks On Authorities

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A grand jury in Brooklyn has indicted two New York City men accused of trying to provide support to ISIS.

Munther Omar Saleh, of Queens, is charged with attempt and conspiracy to provide material support to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, as well as assault and conspiracy to assault federal officers.

Saleh is accused of plotting a terror attack in the New York City area. The indictment alleges the 20-year-old college student made efforts to prepare a pressure cooker bomb to detonate in New York City on behalf of ISIS.

While under investigation by federal authorities in early June, Saleh and another individual charged at a federal officer with knives.

According to court documents, Saleh also espoused jihadist beliefs online and openly supported ISIS activities via Twitter, including the Charlie Hebdo massacre in France, the burning to death of a Jordanian pilot and the beheading of a Japanese journalist. He also allegedly tweeted support for the terror attack in Garland, Texas in May.

The grand jury indictment also charges Fareed Mumuni with attempt and conspiracy to provide material support to ISIL, assault and conspiracy to assault federal officers, and attempted murder of federal officers.

Authorities said Mumuni was arrested on June 17 at his Staten Island home after repeatedly stabbing an FBI agent in the torso with a large kitchen knife during the execution of a search warrant.

None of the stabs penetrated the agent's body armor, and he suffered only minor injuries, according to a criminal complaint.

Mumuni, 21, also allegedly tried to grab another agent's rifle during the incident. Authorities said another large knife was recovered inside his car.

"Stabbing an FBI agent and providing material support to a designated terrorist organization are a recipe for indictment, as alleged. I commend the agents and detectives from the Manhattan-based Joint Terrorism Task Force and prosecutors in the Eastern District for their work on this case," said Police Commissioner Bratton.

"These indictments remind us of the dangers faced by law enforcement and the community alike. The FBI remains vigilant in its pursuit against violence and restrained in its apprehension of such offenders," FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Diego Rodriguez said. "We are grateful for the safety of our agents and will continue to work to eliminate threats to our country with the help of our law enforcement partners."

If convicted, Mumuni faces up to 85 years in prison. Saleh could face a maximum sentence of 65 years if convicted.

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