Va. man who tried to join terrorists gets 25 years
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A college dropout and Muslim convert who threatened the creators of the “South Park” cartoon series and then tried to join an al-Qaida-linked terror group in Somalia has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Zachary A. Chesser of Bristow, Va., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va.
Chesser pleaded guilty last year to supporting the al-Shabab terrorist group in Somalia and posting online threats against the “South Park” creators for an episode that he perceived as insulting to the prophet Muhammad.
Prosecutors had been seeking the maximum sentence of 30 years. Chesser’s lawyers asked for a 20-year term.
Chesser says he has renounced violence and is sorry for what he did.