BANGOR, Maine (AP) — A 19-year-old from Maine who the FBI says built homemade explosives and plotted to attack a mosque in the name of the Islamic State group was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison.
Pelkey was 18 when he was arrested by FBI agents who found three homemade explosives in his home.
The devices were made of fireworks bundled with staples, pins and thumb tacks to create shrapnel, the FBI said.
Investigators also found a handwritten document about the planned mosque attack, claiming it in the name of the Islamic State group.
The defense argued for a six-year prison sentence, contending Pelkey accepted responsibility, lacked a violent criminal history and was traumatized by his abusive upbringing.
Persons:
Xavier Pelkey, Pelkey
Organizations:
FBI, Islamic
Locations:
BANGOR, Maine, Waterville, Chicago, Canada