Two men who allegedly plotted to carry out bomb attacks on US electrical power substations and a National Guard Armoury in South Florida a year ago have been charged with conspiracy to damage and destroy property with explosives, justice officials said.
Pakistani immigrant Mr Imran Mandhai, 19, and Mr Shueyb Mossa Jokhan, a 24-year-old naturalised US citizen, appeared before a federal magistrate, the US Attorney's Office in Miami said in a statement.
Prosecutors requested pretrial detention for Mr Mandhai and Mr Jokhan, who could face maximum jail sentences of up to 25 years and 20 years respectively if convicted as charged.
They were arrested by FBI agents yesterday, officials said, but no details were immediately available of what led to their arrest.
The indictment said the alleged plotting took place between May 2000 and May 2001 in Miami-Dade County and neighbouring Broward County.
The two plotted their missions as part of what they saw as an Islamic holy war, the indictment said, and their alleged plans included trying to obtain AK-47 assault weapons and funds, seeking to recruit others, and looking over possible targets.
If convicted as charged, they each face up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 on the conspiracy count. Mr Mandhai also faces a maximum of five years on the charge of soliciting to commit a crime of violence.