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Aurora Man To Plead Guilty In Chicago Terror Case

CHICAGO (AP) -- An attorney for a suburban Chicago man accused of trying to join al-Qaida-affiliated fighters in Syria says her client intends to change his plea to guilty.

Abdella Ahmad Tounisi's attorney, Molly Armour, told a federal judge in Chicago about the change of plea at a Wednesday hearing. She and a prosecutor said the sides expect to seal a plea agreement within several weeks.

The 20-year-old was arrested at a Chicago airport in 2013 trying to board a plane for Turkey. Prosecutors say the Aurora man hoped to join Nusra Front.

Tounisi earlier pleaded not guilty to attempting to provide material support to a terrorist group. A hearing is set for June 30 for him to change his plea.

Prosecutors typically recommend lower sentences if defendants agree to plead guilty.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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