Grand jury indicts Chicago man accused of plotting attack

CHICAGO -- A federal grand jury has indicted a 27-year-old Chicago man accused of plotting to go to Somalia to become a suicide bomber.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said Thursday that Shaker Masri is charged with attempting to provide material support to a violent extremist group in Somalia and trying to offer material support by use of a weapon of mass destruction outside the U.S.

Authorities arrested Masri on Aug. 3 before he was set to travel to Somalia. He's being held without bond.

Prosecutors allege Masri admired U.S.-born radical Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who is believed to have helped inspire attacks in the U.S.

A message left for Masri's attorney Thursday wasn't returned.

Court documents say Masri he was born in Alabama and spent years overseas before returning to the U.S. when he was 18.