Joshua R. Van Haften
A Madison man accused of trying to join the Islamic State has entered a not guilty plea.
Appearing in a US District Court in Madison Friday morning, 34-year-old Joshua Van Haften plead not guilty to a charge of attempting to provide material aid to the enemy. Prosecutors allege Van Haften traveled to the Middle East in an attempt to join the terrorist group known as the Islamic State, also known and ISIS or ISIL.
Van Haften was arrested earlier this month after he returned to the United States from Turkey, following a failed attempt to join the group in Syria. U.S. Attorney John Vaudreuil asked that he be kept in custody while awaiting trial.
Van Haften faces up to 15 years in federal prison if convicted. He’s due back in court May 27.