Najibullah Zazi, the key suspect in an alleged plot to attack New York City with homemade bombs, has begun cooperating with investigators and is preparing for a possible plea deal, according to two law enforcement officials. The guilty plea could come as early as today. As part of the deal, Zazi would give up information about co-conspirators in the US and Pakistan. Sources say he volunteered information in a recent sit-down with prosecutors in Brooklyn.
The deal suggests that prosecutors hope to expand the case and bring charges against other suspects in this case and possibly others. One of the people familiar with the Zazi case tells the AP that Zazi decided to offer the information after being warned that his mother could face criminal immigration charges. Zazi's father was charged earlier this month with trying to destroy evidence, but was released on a $50,000 bond.
(More Najibullah Zazi stories.)