CHARLESTON, S.C. — A York County teen accused of trying to help ISIS pleaded guilty Wednesday.
[ [RELATED: Prosecutor: York Co. teen wanted to join ISIS, kill Americans] ]
Zakariya Abdin pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization. He faces up to 20 years in prison.
“I'm very thankful that justice has been served finally,” York Police Chief Andy Robinson said.
Abdin was arrested in 2015 on suspicion of plotting to kill U.S. troops.
“He was more than ready and willing to kill Americans without hesitation,” Robinson said.
Abdin was released in 2016 after a year in juvenile detention.
In March 2017, officials arrested him again while he was trying to fly to the Middle East.
Abdin made his appearance in federal court in Charleston.
[ [RELATED: York County teen wanted to serve ISIS in Middle East, documents say] ]
Abdin inspired a South Carolina bill to stop suspected terrorists.
Lawmakers introduced the bill earlier this year. It includes harsher penalties for those who commit and support terrorism.
“We've been pushing very hard for the last two years to try and change that so this doesn't happen again in the future,” Robinson said.
Abdin's family moved away from the quiet York neighborhood where they once lived.
Robinson said unless rehabilitation is successful, Abdin will be a danger when he's eventually released.
“I don't think his ideology will change,” Robinson said.
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