SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) -- A Southern California man convicted of trying to become a fighter for the Islamic State terrorist group has been sentenced to 30 years prison.
U.S. District Judge David O. Carter gave the sentence Monday to 25-year-old Nader Elhuzayel of Anaheim.
In June a jury convicted Elhuzayel and co-defendant Muhanad Badawi of conspiracy to aid a foreign terrorist organization. Badawi will be sentenced in October.
Federal authorities say the two men talked of becoming "martyrs" and last year concocted a scheme for Elhuzayel to reach Syria.
Prosecutors say Badawi used money from a college grant to help Elhuzayel buy a plane ticket to the Middle East. They also say Elhuzayel got money by depositing stolen checks in his accounts.
Elhuzayel was also convicted of 26 counts of bank fraud.
