14 U.S. citizens charged in Somali terror plot

11:09 AM

Fourteen U.S. citizens were charged with trying to join a Somalia-based terror group linked to al-Qaeda, MSNBC is reporting.

Citing law-enforcement sources, NBC News says the suspects include 12 from Minnesota and one from California.

A noon news conference is planned at the Justice Department, MSNBC says. The terror group, Al-Shabab, is described as the lawless nation's most-feared terror group.

We'll have more as it develops.

Update at 12:12 pm ET: Attorney General Eric Holder is now providing more clarification at a news conference in Washington; says funds were raised under the ruse of supporting impoverished people. Holder warned others against "choosing this group."

The number of those charged has been revised to 19 in Minnesota alone. Holder says of the 19, five already have pleaded guilty. Ten of those charged are not in custody and some are believed to be fighting in Somalia, he said.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... suspects/1