Law enforcement official: NJ man allegedly traveled to Yemen seeking to join terror groups

AP source: NJ man may have sought terror groups

WASHINGTON — A law enforcement official says a New Jersey man charged in Yemen with being a member of al-Qaida traveled to that country with the goal of joining a terrorist group.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation.

Sharif Mobley, the 26-year-old U.S. citizen, was arrested this month in Yemen as part of a security sweep of al-Qaida suspects.

A second official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, says the U.S. government was aware of Mobley’s potential extremist ties long before his arrest.

Mobley was taken to the hospital in Yemen over the weekend. Yemeni officials said he snatched a gun from a security guard and fatally shot one guard and wounded another before being captured.