Benghazi suspect in federal custody

Updated: Saturday, June 28 2014, 02:43 PM EDT

Washington (AP) — Federal prosecutors say the Libyan militant charged in the 2012 Benghazi attacks is now in law enforcement custody, after being questioned aboard a U.S. Navy ship since his capture in Libya two weeks ago.

A U.S. official says Ahmed Abu Khattala was flown by military helicopter from a Navy amphibious transport dock ship to a National Park Service landing pad in Washington, D.C., today.

Security at the capital’s federal courthouse has been heightened in anticipation of a possible court appearance by the suspect later today.

Abu Khattala faces criminal charges in the deaths of the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans from the 2012 attack. A criminal complaint filed last year charges him with terror-related crimes, including killing a person during an attack on a federal facility, a crime that can be punishable by death.