Gallery: Portrait of an American Al Qaeda

Program Note: CNN Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson spent a year investigating convicted terrorist, Bryant Neal Vinas. He is now on assignment in Pakistan tracking down details of Times Square bombing suspect Faisal Shahzad. Watch AC360° at 10 p.m. ET. to see Parts 2 & 3 of Robertson's report. Watch Part 1 on AC360.com. Watch CNN"s "American Al Qaeda: The Story of Bryant Neal Vinas" on Saturday and Sunday, May 15-16, at 8pm ET.

AC360°

Bryant Neal Vinas, a former altar boy from the suburbs of New York, planned an attack on U.S. soil that could have caused massive casualties. See a photo gallery of Bryant throughout his childhood.

Bryant Neal Vinas

Bryant Neal Vinas playing around

Bryant Neal Vinas in his early teens

Bryant Neal Vinas at age 13

Bryant Neal Vinas in his teen years

Bryant Neal Vinas with his friend Alex

Bryant Neal Vinas