Muslim Inmate Denies Jihad Terror Charges

The man accused of devising a plot to attack military installations and recruiting centers in Los Angeles County pleaded not guilty Monday to federal terrorism charges.

Kevin Lamar James entered the plea in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana, where he will be tried along with three co-defendants on charges of planning a jihad against 20 military targets, authorities said.

Before he was indicted on six terrorism-related counts, James, 29, was a prisoner at the California State Prison, Sacramento, which is in Folsom. Authorities said he founded a radical Islamic prison gang called Jamiyyat Ul Islam Is Saheeh, or the Assembly of Authentic Islam, and hatched the plot to attack military sites.

James was subdued during Monday’s brief hearing, saying little other than “not guilty” to charges of conspiracy to levy war against the United States through terrorism and conspiracy to possess and discharge firearms, Assistant U.S. Atty. Kevin Smith said.

Magistrate Judge Marc L. Goldman set trial for Nov. 22.

Torrance police foiled the alleged attacks in July when they arrested Levar Haney Washington and Gregory Vernon Patterson on suspicion of a string of armed robberies at gas stations. According to an FBI affidavit, Patterson, 21, said the robberies were part of a jihad, and he used stolen money to buy a .223-caliber rifle for the planned attacks.

Hammad Riaz Samana, 21, also was charged with helping plan attacks. Washington, Patterson and Samana pleaded not guilty earlier this month. The FBI said Samana helped scout several locations to be attacked, and that the men hoped to kill or wound 35 to 40 people.

The four men remain in federal custody. Three separate trial dates have been set for them, but prosecutor Smith said he would contact defense attorneys to see whether all sides could agree on one trial date.

James’ attorney did not return a call seeking comment.