Empire State Building was in crosshairs in NY terror plot

Ferhani and Mamdouh were arraigned in Manhattan court on Thursday afternoon. They were being held without bail and face life in prison,if convicted. Their attorneys said the two denied the charges.

Officials said investigators had been using an undercover detective to track Ferhani for several months. According to a criminal complaint drafted under state terror laws,Ferhani told the detective about his intent to participate in jihad, and that he would become a martyr. Over time,Ferhani showed a pattern of growing anger, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance said. His plans became bigger and more violent with every passing week.

At a roadside meeting,Wednesday on Manhattans West Side,one of the undercover officers handed Ferhani a bag holding three handguns,three boxes of ammo and an inert grenade. After he took them to his truck Ferhani was arrested. Mamdouh was arrested later. Authorities said Ferhani is an unemployed aspiring actor. Mamdouh is a taxi service dispatcher.