Columbus Man Pleads 'Not Guilty' To Alleged Terror Charges

A Columbus man accused of money laundering and supporting Mideast terrorism remains in a Franklin County jail. The state charges come during a larger federal investigation. Before Franklin County Magistrate Elizabeth Watters, Abdirahman Sheikh Mohamud pleaded not guilty to charges he laundered money and supported terrorism. Prosecutor Ron O'Brien says the charges are based on Mohamud's activities during the past 18 months. He says the state charges were brought to keep Mohamud from fleeing. "The defendant has traveled overseas. He has contact with a federally designated terrorist organization. He has provided resources as well as a device, a computer device, to someone with that entity," says O'Brien. Defense attorney Sam Shamansky says though, there's no risk Mohamud would flee. "No, At least I don't believe so. Had he been a risk we wouldn't have waited a year and a half to have this case come to a head," says Shamansky. Shamansky refers to an ongoing federal investigation. He described his client as a devoted son who has recently been helping his mother with a health issue. Shamansky says Mohamud is a U-S citizen who arrived in Columbus in 1999. "His state of mind is such that he recognizes the severity of this prosecution and takes it seriously. I don't know what else to say," says Shamansky. Magistrate Watters set bond at one million dollars, refusing a prosecutor's request for a much higher amount. But she set conditions, including no overseas money transfers and surrender of his driver's license. "There'll be no internet access, the defendant will be placed under house arrest. The defendant shall surrender any passport, green card, or any other government issued travel documents. The defendant is not to leave Franklin County Ohio." says Magistrate Watters While Mohamud awaits his next court date in Franklin County a separate federal investigation continues. Neither prosecutor O'Brien nor defense attorney Shamansky indicated when the federal investigation would be complete. Federal charges are expected.