TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita man accused of trying to bring explosives-filled van to Mid-Continent Airport has become the face of an anti-terror bill in the Kansas Legislature even though he has pleaded not guilty and has not been convicted.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports critics are urging Kansas lawmakers to avoid using the name of Terry Loewen to push for the measure because he is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. A chief backer of the bill, Rep. Kevin Jones, acknowledged that he might have gone too far in discussing Loewen’s case.

Loewen has pleaded not guilty to charges related to his arrest Dec. 13 in a sting operation. Among those charges is attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction.