Jose Pimentel, the Manhattan man accused of plotting to set off homemade bombs in the city, was charged today with possession of a weapon and conspiracy as crimes of terrorism.

According to the Manhattan district attorney, Pimentel is charged with building a homemade bomb to try to attack soldiers, police cars and post offices.

Authorities say Pimentel is a Dominican-born al-Qaeda sympathizer who was acting independently.

He converted to Islam around 2004 and went by the name “Muhammad Yousuf,” and according to authorities collected information about bombmaking between September and November 2011.

Pimentel is due to be arraigned in State Supreme Court on March 13.

(Source: NY1)