Abdo charged in bomb plot, defiant in court - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

Pfc. Naser Jason Abdo made his first appearance in Waco Federal Court Friday at 11 a.m. The 21-year-old soldier is charged with possession of an unregistered destructive device in connection with a bomb plot.

The Garland, Texas native was escorted into the courtroom by three U.S. Marshals. He was wearing an all white uniform with his hands and feet in handcuffs.

Abdo's demeanor was arrogant. He refused to stand up when Judge Jeffrey Manske entered the courtroom and Marshals had to force him to stand up. Abdo answered Judge Jeffrey Manske's questions with short answers.

As he left the courthouse he made direct eye contact with media and yelled out, "Abeer Quassim Al Janbi, Iraq 2006. Nidal Hasan, Fort Hood 2009"

"Abeer Quassim Al Janabi" refers to the 12-year-old Iraqi girl who was raped and killed by US soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell in 2006.

Nidal Hasan is the U.S. Army Major accused of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others in a shooting rampage on Fort Hood in November 2009.

According to court documents, Abdo told FBI agents that he planned to assemble two bombs in his hotel room at America's Best Value Inn and Suites in Killeen. Then his plan was to detonate the bombs inside an unnamed restaurant that was frequented by Fort Hood soldiers. 

Abdo was arrested on Wednesday at the hotel. He was carrying a backpack. Among the items inside of it was an article titled, "Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of your Mom." He also had a .40 caliber handgun, ammunition, two clocks and two spools of auto wire in the backpack.

When FBI agents searched his room they found items that would be used to build a destructive device including an electric drill, six bottles of smokeless gunpowder, shotgun shells, shotgun pellets and two pressure cookers.

Waco attorney Keith Dorsett was appointed to represent Abdo, who is currently in custody of the U.S. Marshals. Abdo is being detained without bond because of his AWOL status from Ft. Campbell in Kentucky.

Abdo has been referred to Court Martial for charges of possession of child pornography. He went AWOL on July 4th.

Previous to his Article 32 hearing, Abdo was set to be discharged from the Army. He submitted a conscientious objector, apparently based on his religious beliefs. The order was approved, but halted when possession of child pornography charges were brought up against Abdo.

Abdo's next court date is set for August 4th at 2 p.m. in the Waco Federal Courthouse. If convicted, Abdo faces up to ten years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.

Reporter: Ashley Goudeau / Photographer: Rocky Bridges

For previous stories:

Terrorism and Islamic experts on foiled terror plot

New details on foiled terror plot near Ft. Hood

AWOL soldier planned attack on military personnel