Alleged terrorist appears in court

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - One of the local men accused of terrorism made his first appearance in federal court on December 13. The court found Randy “Rasheed” Wilson financially indigent and appointed Dom Soto as his legal counsel.

Wilson was arrested on Dec. 11, on terrorism charges.

According to a criminal complaint released by the U.S. Attorney , Wilson and Mohammad Abukhdair conspired to travel overseas in connection with a terrorism plot.

Wilson was calm throughout the court appearance. His mother was also present, and was visibly distraught.

Two hours after taking on the case, Soto urged people not to pass judgment.

"Let’s indulge the presumption of innocence and give this man his day in court,” said Soto.

His work began with countless pieces of evidence. The FBI has been building the case for more than a year.

"There are supposedly 40-100 hours of undercover tapes," said Soto.

According to an affidavit, the tapes of conversations describe Wilson preparing to wage “Jihad” outside the Unites States.

"If you believe the affidavit, he's actually a hero. Because if the other guy is planning some sort of violence, he's the one that says no don't do it here,” said Soto.

Soto is referring to a statement in the affidavit where the undercover agent refers to Mohammad Abukhbair saying he was losing patience and inquired about the cost of buying six guns for a domestic attack.

To that, it said Wilson told him to just be patient.

Soto said the affidavit could be misinterpreted.

"There’s two or three third parties here who have axes to grind and things to sell,” said Soto.

A detention hearing is set for Monday, December 17, at 2 p.m. A preliminary hearing is set for December 27, unless a grand jury indicts Wilson before that date.