A former Staten Island resident is accused of traveling to Pakistan in a failed bid to join the Taliban.

Abdel Hameed Shehadeh, 21, who formerly lived in Arden Heights, was taken into custody in Hawaii Friday.

He is charged with lying to the FBI about a 2008 trip to Pakistan.

According to the criminal complaint, Shehadeh flew from New York to Pakistan but was denied entry and returned to the United States.

Authorities say he told the FBI and New York City Police Department detectives he was traveling to Pakistan to visit a university and to attend a wedding.

Later, he allegedly admitted his real intention was to join the Taliban or a similar fighting group.

Court papers say he also tried to recruit another person in his quest to be a terrorist when the two were discussing a sermon by the radical Islamic cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.

Officials say Shehadeh also tried to enlist in the army at the Times Square recruiting center.

Prosecutors say he wanted to be deployed to Iraq where he intended to desert and fight against the U.S. military.

Adam Hmidan, a cousin of Shehadeh, told NY1 that Shehadeh is a “typical Staten Island guy” who graduated from Tottenville High School.

“I knew him my whole life. I never heard anything about that. I knew FBI guys would come watch him and stuff, but I don’t know. That’s crazy,” said Hmidan.

A judge has ordered Shehadeh to be sent back to Brooklyn to face charges.

He could spend up to eight years in prison if convicted.

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(Source: NY1)