The U.S. attorney's office has charged a longtime Brooklyn resident with providing material support for the Islamic State terror group.  Prosecutors say he was top sniper for the terrorists in Syria.

Ruslan Asainov, 42, was captured by Syrian forces months ago and transferred into U.S. custody.

He appeared before a judge in Brooklyn Friday.

Asainov was born in Kazakhstan and became a naturalized U.S. citizen.

He allegedly rose through the ranks, becoming a high-ranking member in charge of weapons training.

He is also accused of trying to recruit other people to travel from the United States to Syria to fight for the Islamic state group. 

He is being held without bail.

His attorneys explained why he refused to answer direct questions from the judge.

"I think he doesn't recoginze our courts to be a legitimate authority," said defense attorney Susan Kellman. "He's very respective and very cooperative with me."

Prosecutors say they have Asainov's text messages from Syria and pictures of him with other Islamic State terrorists.

The charges involve providing training, services and personnel, to the terror organization.