Al-Shabaab fighters display weapons as they conduct military exercises in northern Mogadishu, Somalia, Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010.

A Maryland man has been indicted on federal charges he provided material support to an al-Qaeda offshoot that has claimed responsibility for a series of deadly attacks in East Africa.

Authorities on Monday said 31-year-old Maalik Alim Jones traveled to Somalia in 2011 to fight on behalf of the al-Shabaab militant group. They say Jones learned how to fire an AK-47 and rocket-propelled grenade launcher, then used his training to attack the Kenyan government.

Jones appeared in federal court in Manhattan on Dec. 19 to face charges that include conspiracy to provide material support to al-Shabaab and possessing, carrying, and using firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence. Information on his lawyer wasn’t immediately available.

If convicted, Jones faces up to life in prison.

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