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Joshua Ray Van Haften, Wisconsin Man, Accused of Attempting to Join ISIS

Van Haften was arrested Wednesday in Chicago after federal prosecutors say he had returned from Turkey, where he attempted to travel to join ISIS.
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/ Source: NBC News

A Wisconsin man was arrested Wednesday at a Chicago airport after returning from Turkey, where federal prosecutors say he had traveled as part of a plot to join ISIS.

Joshua Ray Van Haften, 34, of Madison, was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to the terror group, and intended to go to Iraq or Syria while in Turkey, the Department of Justice said in a news release Thursday.

Van Haften first traveled to Turkey last August, although it wasn't immediately clear whether he actually entered the territories in Iraq or Syria controlled by ISIS, the DOJ said. He arrived Wednesday evening at O'Hare International Airport.

"Stemming the flow of foreign fighters to Iraq and Syria and holding accountable those who attempt to provide material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations remains a top priority for the National Security Division," Assistant U.S. Attorney General John Carlin said in a statement.

Van Haften was scheduled to make his first court appearance at 10:45 a.m. ET Thursday. He faces up to 15 years in federal prison if found guilty.

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— Erik Ortiz