Here's an update on the case against the alleged militia leader from Ford County, Illinois, accused of orchestrating the firebombing of a Twin Cities Minnesota mosque nearly two years ago. Federal prosecutors say Michael Hari tried to escape from custody while he was being moved from Illinois to Minnesota.
Michael Hari, who's accused of leading an attack on a mosque in suburban Minneapolis-St. Paul appeared in a Minneapolis federal courtroom Thursday. The 47-year-old former Ford County sheriff's deputy faces hate crime and explosives charges for the August 5th, 2017 bombing of the Dar Al Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington, Minnesota.
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.
