KILLEEN, Texas (AP) — An AWOL Muslim soldier from Fort Campbell, Ky., who had been granted conscientious objector status will face federal charges after bomb-making materials were found in his motel room near Fort Hood in Texas, an FBI spokesman said Thursday.
Killeen police arrested Pfc. Naser Abdo a day earlier after being alerted by "concerned citizens," and agents later found firearms and "items that could be identified as bomb-making components, including gunpowder," in his motel room, said FBI spokesman Erik Vasys.
Vasys said the FBI plans to charge Abdo with possessing bomb-making components later Thursday, at which time he'll be transferred into federal custody.
"I would emphasize that any threat that Abdo posed is now over," Vasys said. "Suffice it to say we're looking into all aspects of Mr. Abdo's life to determine his motivations and intentions."
The 21-year-old infantry soldier who has been absent without leave since the July 4th weekend had said while applying for conscientious objector status that his religious beliefs would prevent him from fighting in any war. A military review board recommended this spring that he be separated from the Army.
The discharge was delayed after Abdo was charged with possessing child pornography. An Article 32 military hearing last month recommended Abdo for a court-martial. He has said he thought he had been charged with a crime because he was seeking to leave the Army as a conscientious objector.
An Oklahoma attorney who has represented Abdo said Thursday he hasn't heard from Abdo in weeks and learned of the arrest from a Texas television station.
"I know probably as much as you," said attorney James Branum. "I've been quite anxious to get in touch with him."