Accused Bomb Plotter Remains in Custody

A federal judge in Baltimore ruled Monday that the 21-year-old man accused of being behind last week's foiled Baltimore terror plot would remain in custody until his trial.

Antonio Martinez, who also goes by Muhammed Hussain, was arrested Dec. 8 after he attempted to detonate a phony car bomb in the parking lot of the Armed Forces recruiting station in Catonsville, Md. Martinez was charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to murder federal employees.

During the hour-long detention hearing, prosecutor Christine Manuelian stated that on the day of the planned bombing, Martinez was videotaped shown "grinning from ear to ear."

Defense lawyer Joseph A. Balter said the government induced his client "to be involved in an act that was clearly the design of the government." Federal prosecutors stated it was Martinez's idea to target the recruiting center using a bomb.

Magistrate Judge Susan K. Gauvey said Martinez would be a danger if released. She added that the defense would continue to argue that Martinez was entrapped.

Martinez, a recent convert to Islam, "said it was his dream to be among the ranks of the mujahideen and that he hoped Allah would open a door for him because all he thinks about is jihad," according to court documents

Martinez faces a maximum of life in prison.

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