FBI Informant's Role Emerges in Court Hearing

"He told me that Abujihaad was on the ships in the Middle East and that he passed along information to a Web site," Chrisman testified.

Abujihaad denies that.

Chrisman also said Shareef told him that he and Abujihaad had discussed a plot to attack a military base in San Diego or a recruiting station in Phoenix. According to Chrisman, Shareef said Abujihaad even dispatched him to scope out the recruiting station.

Abujihaad, who was not charged over that alleged plot, taught Shareef about Islam and what he called defensive jihad, which meant they could attack military bases if American Muslims were attacked or rounded up, FBI Special Agent David Dillon testified.

Prosecutors said Abujihaad made coded references to al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in recorded phone calls.

Abujihaad repeatedly warned Shareef to be discreet, talking in code about "cold meals" and "fresh meals" that authorities said were references to outdated and viable plots. He referred to Osama bin Laden as "under the black leaves," logistical support as "L" and "7" as an upper level of paradise for those who die on the battlefield, prosecutors said.

Attorneys for Abujihaad have argued that the calls and other evidence, such as e-mails, should be thrown out because of a judge's ruling in another case in September that struck down portions of the USA Patriot Act.

Shareef was arrested last December when, authorities said, he tried to buy hand grenades and a gun from an undercover agent working with Chrisman. He faces at least 30 years in prison when he is sentenced March 14.

Chrisman said he called Abujihaad to tell him Shareef had been arrested.