Second New York Man Charged in Alleged ISIS Terror Plot

Three men have been arrested for allegedly plotting to detonate bombs in New York City for the terrorist group that calls itself ISIS. They became the latest defendants in the spate of cases in the city and elsewhere involving young men and women allegedly radicalized by the militant group's propaganda.

Criminal complaints allege Fareed Mumuni, 21, was working with Munther Omar Saleh, 20, to build a pressure-cooker bomb. Saleh was allegedly scouting tourist attractions as potential targets.

His neighbor in a largely Chinese and Korean area of Flushing, Queens, Soon Kwon, said the accusations hit too close to home. 

"I never imagined my next door," the 65-year-old said. "Big surprise." 

Another neighbor, Jasmine Tam, said only that the family was kind to her. 

"They are very good," she said. "When we met we say hello to each other. They are so nice."

One other unnamed co-conspirator was arrested for allegedly trying to attack police officers. 

Mumuni, a college student, was ordered held without bail on attempted murder charges that accuse him of trying to kill an FBI agent with a large kitchen knife when agents tried to execute a search warrant at his Staten Island home. 

After his arrest, Mumuni told investigators he had pledged allegiance to ISIS and that he planned to travel overseas to fight with the militants, according to government papers. If he didn't succeed with that, "he intended to attack law enforcement officers," the papers added.

Outside federal court in Brooklyn, defense attorney Anthony Ricco denied that Mumuni was an Islamic State convert. Ricco said his client is a practicing Muslim who attends the College of Staten Island.

The arrest surprised his family, who "know him as a quiet, soft-spoken person," Ricco added.

Saleh, also a college student, was arrested Tuesday. 

Court papers called Saleh a "fervent supporter" of ISIS who wanted to attack New York. 

There was no immediate response to a message left Wednesday with Saleh's attorney.