Local

Man in court after accused of trying to fly ISIS supporter to US

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A local man is on federal trial, accused of trying to help someone he thought was an ISIS supporter fly overseas to support terrorists.

Channel 9’s Tina Terry has been following Alexander Smith's case since 2017.

The case involves a special discounted airline ticket, a plan to sneak someone into Syria and instructions to cover his tracks.

Federal prosecutors told a jury Tuesday about the serious allegations against him.

They said around July of 2014, Smith initiated contact with a man he thought was an ISIS supporter, saying he wanted to fly to Syria for jihad.

[Local man accused of trying to fly ISIS supporter with airline buddy pass]

That person was really an FBI source who notified Charlotte FBI agents.

A special agent with the Joint Terrorism Task Force in Charlotte testified that after months of communication, Smith offered to help another person he thought supported ISIS get a buddy pass to help him catch a flight in the U.S. before heading to Syria.

Smith's girlfriend worked for a domestic U.S. airline.

The FBI eventually interviewed the girlfriend and Smith allegedly called FBI agents and agreed to an interview. They said during the interview, Smith lied about wanting to go to Syria and fight.

They charged him with two counts of making a false statement to a U.S. agency.

Smith's attorney said he won't talk on camera during the trial but in the courtroom, he said his client is innocent.

Regarding the buddy pass, he said it wasn't to support ISIS, but a favor to a friend who'd helped him get work.

The jury will hear some of the recorded conversations between Smith and the FBI source Wednesday in court.