In pictures: Life of US Taleban

John Walker Lindh, the American member of the Taleban captured in Afghanistan, pleaded guilty to some of the charges against him as part of a deal to avoid a possible life sentence.

Under the terms of his deal with prosecutors, Lindh, 21, will serve two 10-year prison sentences and co-operate fully in the investigation of Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda network.

When he was 16, Lindh told his parents he wanted to convert to Islam and began attending a mosque (Photos: AP)

He was captured in Afghanistan after a revolt by Taleban prisoners was crushed...

...news of his arrest caused shock in America

Mr Lindh admitted he had aided the Taleban and carried explosives in the commission of a felony

Mr Lindh waived his right to trial, and a sentencing is set for the 4 October

His family was relieved after the surprise deal, while prosecutors called it a victory in the fight against terror (AP/AFP)