According to law enforcement officials, the couple planned to fly to Turkey, and then journey to Syria to join the terrorist group. The couple planned to use the cover of a honeymoon as the reason for traveling to Turkey.
Dakhalla graduated last May with a degree in psychology and Young was a sophomore chemistry major.
The two were caught after FBI agents posing as ISIS supporters discovered their plans through Internet chat sessions. Young and Dakhalla believed the agents could provide them with passports and the necessary travel documents to make their trip. During the investigation, Young was quoted during a conversation as stating, “Small towns’ airports have poor funding and less educated staff, so it is easier to get through.” So the couple chose Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi. It was there that the FBI arrested the pair this past Saturday on their way to Atlanta.
A federal hearing is taking place currently and the couple faces charges of trying to provide assistance and materials to a foreign terrorist group. According to the FBI, Young wanted to train to become a medic for ISIS fighters, while Dakhlalla claimed he was proficient with computers and wanted to help with the Islamic State’s Internet media.
