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Suspect in Islamic State-inspired plot competent for trial

Published: Updated:
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office / MGN

MIAMI (AP) – A man is competent to stand trial in an alleged plot the FBI says was inspired by the Islamic State terror group to detonate a bomb on a Florida Keys beach.

A defense attorney and a federal prosecutor said in a joint court filing late Monday that Harlem Suarez is mentally fit. A judge ordered Suarez examined by a psychologist after attorney Richard Della Fera raised questions about his competency.

Trial is April 4 for Suarez on charges of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and terrorism support.

The FBI says Suarez told an informant he wanted to detonate a backpack bomb on a Key West beach. He was arrested in July after accepting an inert device from an FBI employee posing as an Islamic State member.

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