A Muslim convert pleaded not guilty today to charges he plotted a terrorist act by building a nail-filled pipe bomb – unaware he was being aided by a police informant.
Jose Pimentel, 28 – aka Muhammad Yusuf — has been held without bail since last November on charges that could put him in prison for life. He appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court.
Authorities say the Dominican-born Manhattan resident gathered the material for his pipe bomb at Home Depot and Target stores.
Besides the conspiracy charge, Pimentel is accused of attempted weapons possession as an act of terrorism.
He was charged in state court after the federal government passed on prosecuting him.
Defense lawyers have called the case “overreaching,” and allege the undercover informant led Pimentel astray. “We think when a jury hears both sides of this case, they’ll see it for what it really is,” defense lawyer Susan Walsh said today.