Islamic terrorism: A Brooklyn computer engineer described by prosecutors as an "educated and sophisticated young man" has pleaded guilty to providing material support to Al Qaeda

Wesam El-Hanafi, 37, was charged with assisting the terror organization by, among other things, purchasing seven Casio watches that can be used as timing devices for bombs. El-Hanafi, who went to Baruch, where he played on the basketball team, purchased the digital watches over the Internet in 2009 and had them delivered to his residence in Brooklyn, said prosecutors. At a plea hearing in Manhattan Federal Court, El-Hanafi, who is being held without bail, made no mention of the watches. In a brief statement to the court he admitted to having a conversation in which he and others discussed seeking out additional contacts within Al Qaeda. Under the plea agreement, El-Hanafi faces 20 years in prison when he is sentenced Oct. 22, 2012. El-Hanafi was busted in 2010 in the United Arab Emirates, along with a cohort, Sabirhan Hasanoff, a 36-year-old Brooklyn bookkeeper who also graduated from Baruch. Hasanoff pleaded guilty to aiding Al Qaeda in exchange for a 20-year prison sentence.