Teen pleads guilty to helping friend join Islamic State

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A 17-year-old who otherwise would have been graduating with honors from high school this week instead pleaded guilty today to terrorism charges for helping another teen travel to Syria to join the Islamic State.

Ali Shukri Amin of Manassas pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide material support to terrorists in U.S. District Court in Alexandria. In addition to helping 18-year-old Reza Niknejad of Prince William County travel to Syria, Amin also admitted using Twitter and other social media to solicit donations and support for the Islamic State.

Before his arrest, Amin was an honor student at Osbourn Park High School. The teen, who now faces up to 15 years in prison, appeared in court today in a blue jumpsuit from Northern Neck Regional Jail.

Juveniles rarely face charges in the federal system, and the case remained under seal for several months while prosecutors navigated the process to have the charges moved into adult court.

Amin admitted helping Niknejad travel to Syria to in January.