Emerson Winfield Begolly, 22, from New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was today sentenced to 102 months in prison for soliciting terrorism within the United States and using a firearm during an assault on FBI agents. The sentence also includes five years of supervised release.
Begolly pleaded guilty on August 9, 2011, to charges filed in Virginia and Pennsylvania, where he was active as an administrator on the Ansar al-Mujahideen English Forum (AMEF), soliciting jihadists for acts of terrorism against various targets including police stations and Jewish schools.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton emphasized that Begolly used the Internet to incite radical jihadists, averting mass tragedy through court-sanctioned investigative tools. U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride echoed this sentiment, pointing out that solicitation of terrorism would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Carlin highlighted the need for vigilance against homegrown extremism and commended the agents, analysts, and prosecutors responsible for the sentence. Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, emphasized the ongoing effort to combat violent homegrown extremism. Special Agent in Charge Gary Perdue reminded readers that online-inspired terrorism can occur anywhere and assured the public that efforts to detect and disrupt such threats are enduring.
According to court information, Begolly had concealed a loaded 9 mm semi-automatic handgun on his body during an attempted arrest by FBI agents. During the struggle, he bit the agents on their fingers in an attempt to reach the weapon. Begolly also posted a manual on bomb-making online and praised shootings at the Pentagon and Marine Corps Museum, expressing hope that the shooter had followed his previous encouragement.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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