Story highlights
Naser Jason Abdo was arrested in July while AWOL
Federal prosecutors say he planned to attack soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas
Prosecutors say he was in the process of building a bomb
A U.S. soldier charged with plotting to blow up fellow troops at the nation’s largest Army post pleaded not guilty to federal charges Thursday.
Naser Jason Abdo entered his plea during a brief hearing before a federal judge in Waco, Texas, indicating he understood the charges against him, court officials said.
Abdo has been indicted on six counts, including attempted murder of federal officers and the attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction. Prosecutors say he was in the process of building a bomb when he was arrested in July in Killeen, Texas, home to Fort Hood.
Abdo was absent without leave from his station at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, when arrested. According to prosecutors, he planned to set off a bomb at a restaurant frequented by troops at Fort Hood, the Army’s largest installation.