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Houston man admits trying to help Taliban
2nd suspect, in U.S. illegally, faces similar conspiracy, weapons charges

One of two Houston men accused of training to fight with the Taliban pleaded guilty this afternoon in federal court.

Kobie Diallo Williams, 33, a U.S. citizen who was a student at the University of Houston Downtown, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assist a terrorist group. His help included withdrawing cash from an ATM to send to the Middle East.

Another man, gotcha98 Babar Mirza, 29, a Pakistani national who was in the country on an expired student visa, faces similar conspiracy charges as well as three federal weapons violations. Mirza appeared today before a U.S. magistrate judge.

Mirza became illegal when his visa expired. Someone holding a student visa or in the country illegally is not allowed to have firearms.

In court, Williams admitted that he viewed coalition forces fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan as invaders. He had expressed a desire to travel to the Middle East to help the Taliban. Williams also admitted to handing over money that was supposed to help Taliban fighters and their families.

"We knew that you couldn't get money to the Taliban," Williams told U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr., adding that he gave $350 to "a gentleman."

"gotcha98 informed us that there was a hospital that most of the families go to," Williams said.

"What families?," Werlein asked.

"Widows and children," Williams said.

To prepare as a fighter, Williams said he used various firearms at shooting ranges and campgrounds in Harris, Walker and Montgomery counties including at Sam Houston National Forest.

Williams, a thick-bearded man dressed in a white dress shirt and black slacks, told the judge that he was studying computer science with a minor in mathematics at UH after earning an associate's degree in electrical engineering technology.

A press conference following the guilty plea shed light on the nearly two-year investigation that brought Williams and Mirza to the attention of federal officials.

"It's not the epitome of sophistication," said U.S. Attorney Don DeGabrielle, commenting on the low-level plans Williams admitted the pair made.

And though the pair may not seem to have posed a threat of the magnitude of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the arrests point to the U.S. Justice Department's goal to prevent terrorism, DeGabrielle said.

The indictments, which were unsealed today after both men appeared in court, allege that during the past 1 1/2 years both men participated in firearms and reconnaissance training in Harris County and surrounding areas.

According to the indictment, the two decided last year to travel to the Middle East to engage in "battlefield jihad.''

Federal law prohibits contributions of goods or services to the Taliban, one of several specially designated global terrorist organizations.

If convicted on the conspiracy charge, Williams and Mirza each face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Mirza could receive an additional 10 years in prison if convicted on the firearms charges.

Williams was scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 23.