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Bronx Terror Suspects Found Guilty On 30 Of 32 Counts
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 18, 2010
Modified Oct 18, 2010
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By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 18, 2010
Modified Oct 18, 2010
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A federal jury has found the four men accused of plotting to blow up synagogues in Riverdale, as well as shoot down military planes in Newburgh, guilty on 30 of 32 counts. James Cromitie, David Williams, Onta Williams, and Laguerre Payen, whose lawyers argued that a government informant entrapped them, face up to life in prison—sentencing is next March. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said, "Homegrown terrorism is a serious threat, and today’s convictions affirm our commitment to do everything we can to protect against it. The defendants in this case agreed to plant bombs and use missiles they thought were very real weapons of terrorism."
The four men were arrested in May 2009, and prosecutors characterized Cromitie as an anti-Semite and said the group wanted to use heat-seeking air missiles in their schemes. Their defenders insisted that they were coerced by an aggressive government informant and noted that Cromitie had doubts about the plot. Their lawyers said they would appeal the ruling.
According to the Post, after the judge excused the jury, David Williams' aunt exclaimed, There's no f--king justice." She also told the Times, "This case should have never happened. You come in to a small isolated urban community to do your wickedness. We have been used and nobody cares."
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bronx
guilty verdict
james cromitie
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terror plot
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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