A federal jury returned guilty verdicts against the defendant for his role in bombing the Dar al-Farooq (“DAF”) Islamic Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, on August 5, 2017. Previously, two other defendants pleaded guilty to their roles in the bombing.
As proven at trial, during the summer of 2017, the defendant established a terrorist militia group called “The White Rabbits” in Clarence, Illinois. He recruited co-defendants to join the militia, which he outfitted with paramilitary equipment and assault rifles. On August 4 and 5, 2017, they drove a rented pickup truck from Illinois to Bloomington, Minnesota, to bomb the DAF Islamic Center. On August 5, 2017, at the defendant’s direction, the group bombed the DAF Islamic Center. At the time of the bombing, several worshipers were gathered in the mosque for morning prayers.
The defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 35 years in prison. A sentencing date will be scheduled at a later time.
Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/federal-jury-convicts-illinois-man-bombing-dar-al-farooq-islamic-center