Two Illinois Men Sentenced to Prison for Roles in Bombing of Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Michael McWhorter, 33, and Joe Morris, 26, both of Clarence, Illinois, were sentenced today to 190 months and 170 months in prison, respectively, for their roles in the 2017 bombing of Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington, Minnesota.

The defendants pleaded guilty to firearms violations, arson, use of a destructive device, and federal civil rights violations. The bomb, which was thrown through a broken window, caused significant damage to the center and left the community shaken.

"Hate-fueled acts of violence like the bombing of the Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center violate our laws and run contrary to our values as a nation," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division. "This heinous bombing instilled fear in an entire faith community."

The bombing was carried out by a terrorist militia group called "The White Rabbits," which was led by Emily Claire Hari, 51, f/k/a Michael Hari. Hari recruited McWhorter and Morris to join the militia, which outfitted them with paramilitary equipment and assault rifles.

"McWhorter and Morris carried out a violent plan to attack a house of worship as people peacefully prayed inside," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the National Security Division. "In the United States, all people have a right to exercise their faith freely."

The defendants cooperated with the government during the investigation and provided crucial information that led to the conviction of Hari, who was found guilty of conspiracy, use of fire to commit a felony, and malicious damage by means of an explosive.

The FBI and local law enforcement agencies investigated the case, which was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota.

"Although these men were not the criminal masterminds of their violent acts, they followed Hari’s leadership and submitted to a violent and extremist ideology," said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. "The government recognizes and values McWhorter and Morris’s cooperation throughout this case, which contributed to Hari’s conviction."

On August 5, 2017, McWhorter and Morris drove in a rented pickup truck from Illinois to Bloomington, Minnesota, to bomb the DAF Islamic Center. About an hour outside of Minnesota, Hari disclosed to McWhorter and Morris that there was a pipe bomb in the truck and that they were going to bomb a mosque.

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