Man arrested in anti-aircraft missile plot

PHILADELPHIA — Federal investigators in Philadelphia say they have arrested a man who wanted to obtain weapons to ship to Syria, including anti-aircraft missiles.

An affidavit released Monday says Dani Nemr Tarraf, who has residences in Lebanon and Slovakia, wanted weapons to “take down an F-16.”

The affidavit says Tarraf paid a $20,000 deposit for the missiles and machine guns and traveled Friday to Philadelphia to inspect them.

Investigators say Tarraf and another man were involved in a plot that began with transporting stolen cell phones, laptops and gaming systems and escalated when Tarraf began trying to transport weapons too.

A message left for Tarraf’s attorney after hours Monday was not immediately returned.