Duo allegedly wanted to board a cargo ship to sneak from the U.S. to join ISIS, but now face federal charges

A New York man and Alabama woman tried to board a cargo ship to the Middle East to join the ISIS terrorist group, federal prosecutors claim. 

Authorities say that James Bradley, 20, and Arwa Muthana, 29, are ISIS supporters who attempted to aid the group. Bradley allegedly pledged his devout allegiance to ISIS and wanted to “fight among the rank[s] of the Islamic State," federal prosecutors noted in announcing the arrest. 

While talking with an undercover officer, authorities say Bradley discussed conducting terrorist attacks with his wife against the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, as well as another university where military recruits would be training.

A multi-year investigation into Bradley prompted undercover officers to talk to him online, federal prosecutors claim. Bradley asked the undercover officer he’d been working with for help arranging a cargo ship ride for the couple to travel to Yemen.

Bradley and Muthana were arrested at the seaport where the agent said their cargo ship would depart, according to prosecutors. 

Muthana waived her Miranda rights and said during an interview that she was willing to fight and kill Americans if it was for Allah, according to federal officials. 

Bradley and Muthana were charged with one count of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and one count of conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Each sentence carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.