Texas man’s terrorism trial to start today

November 7, 2011 at 9:36a.m.

HOUSTON (AP) — A Texas man accused of trying to help al-Qaida by providing the terrorist group with money, GPS receivers and restricted U.S. military documents is going on trial.

The trial begins today for 30-year-old Barry Walter Bujol Jr. Authorities say he was arrested in May 2010 after trying to sneak into a Houston port and board a ship bound for the Middle East.

Prosecutors say Bujol, a U.S. citizen, referred to al-Qaida members as “brothers” and wanted to “die with the brothers for the cause of Allah.”

Bujol has chosen to have his case heard by a judge instead of a jury. He’s charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and aggravated identity theft.

If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.