Man admits he funneled cash to terrorist

A Centereach man faces up to six months in prison and deportation after he pleaded guilty yesterday to unwittingly funneling cash to the terrorist who tried to explode a bomb in Times Square.

Mohammad Younis, in admitting he ran a cash payment operation, never mentioned Faisal Shahzad, who was convicted of trying to kill scores of people in Times Square in May 2010 by exploding a homemade bomb in an SUV. The bomb was found before it could go off. Shahzad is serving life in prison.

Younis, 45, told Manhattan federal judge John F. Keenan that he met a man identified later in court records as Shahzad on Long Island in April 2010 and handed him $7,000. Prosecutors said Shahzad used a portion of that money to buy the bomb-making equipment.

Investigators have said Younis didn't know Shahzad or what he planned to do with the money but passed it to him at the direction of an unidentified person in Pakistan. The money came from the militant extremist group Tehrik-e-Taliban, according to prosecutors.

Younis, who was born in Pakistan, also said in court he gave $5,000 to another person in April 2010, adding that he didn't know that man either.

Younis faces a possible prison term of zero to six months under federal sentencing guidelines and a fine ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, Keenan said.

The crime carries a maximum 5-year sentence and $250,000 fine. Because he isn't an American citizen Younis could be deported, the judge said. Sentencing is Nov. 30.

Outside court Younis didn't speak as he stood flanked by defense attorneys Phillipe Solages Jr. of Hauppauge and Gino L. Giorgini III of Deer Park.

"Our client was not involved in any terrorist activity," Solages said. "Our client is a hard working husband and father and he condemns the actions of Faisal Shahzad."