Two members of a self-styled militia group from Ford County pleaded guilty Thursday in the 2017 bombing of a Minnesota mosque, admitting that they hoped the attack would scare Muslims into leaving the country. Michael McWhorter, 29, and Joe Morris , 23, of Clarence, Illinois, pleaded guilty in federal court to five counts that also included an attempted bombing of a clinic in Champaign that performed abortions. Each faces at least 35 years in prison.

Two alleged militia members from Ford County accused of bombing a Minnesota mosque in 2017 are due back in court on Thursday for change of plea hearings.

One of three alleged Illinois militia members accused of bombing a Minnesota mosque last year has pleaded not guilty to hate crime and explosives charges, and a second member is expected to make a court appearance on Wednesday.

Four men from Ford County were in a federal courtroom in Urbana Thursday, pleading ‘not guilty’ to charges related to alleged activities as a militia group called the “White Rabbits”.

Three Ford County men accused of bombing a Minnesota mosque last summer are expected to remain in Illinois for the time being to face charges in a related case.