Adnan Abdihamid Farah pleaded guilty today in federal court in Minneapolis to providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Three other counts were dropped.
Farah faces up to 15 years in prison but avoided a possible life sentence.
Judge Michael Davis didn't set a sentencing date.
The 20-year-old Farah wasn't accused of trying to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State, but allegedly communicated with an Islamic State member in Syria.
The hearing was delayed about 45 minutes after Farah's mother, Ayan, collapsed with chest pain. She was taken away for treatment and there was no immediate word on her condition.