A United States man who formed a terrorist group and plotted attacks from within prison has been sentenced to 16 years in prison. The defendant, 32-year-old Kevin James, expressed remorse for his actions and vowed, “My country need never fear from me again.”
James, a convert to Islam, formed the group Jamiyat ul-Islam is-Saheeh in 1997 while serving time in state prison for gang-related crimes. He recruited fellow inmate and Muslim convert, Levar Washington. Upon his release, Washington recruited two others.
The terrorist gang planned to attack Los Angeles International Airport, U.S. Army recruiting stations, the Israeli consulate in southern California, a military base and synagogues.
Two of the terrorists began robbing gas stations to fund their planned attacks. They were caught in 2005. A search of their homes revealed documents describing planned terrorist attacks.
Washington was sentenced in 2007 to 22 years in prison, and another member of the terrorist group was sentenced to 12 years and seven months. The fourth terrorist has not yet been charged.
Justice Cormac Carney said after sentencing James that he had been lenient with the terrorist ringleader due to his confession, apology and expression of remorse. However, despite James's contrition the punishment must remain stiff in order to deter other potential terrorists, the judge said.