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Man accused of plotting Detroit attack in court

Posted at 6:32 PM, Feb 10, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-10 18:32:42-05

A Dearborn Heights man accused of plotting a Detroit attack and supporting ISIS was in court today.

Khalil Abu Rayyan and his father exchanged glances and his dad gave him thumbs up.

Rayyan’s case was postponed until next week when his lawyer can show up.

He’s in the slammer on drug and weapons charges, but the FBI says they have been watching him for months due to something far more sinister.

Surveillance and online chats with an undercover agent revealed the 21-year-old used social media to pledge allegiance to ISIS and boast about plans to carry out terror-style attacks, including a mass shooting at a Detroit mega church.

According to documents, he also bragged it was his dream to behead someone.

Today in court, Rayyan’s father gave his son thumbs up and reassuring glances. A father obviously standing by his son, but there are lots of questions for both of them.

Rayyan is not facing terrorism related charges yet.

The charges he is facing could put him in jail for 10 years.

However federal sources say they do consider him a public threat and are just glad they have him off the street for the time being, while they continue to pursue more charges.