Prosecutors: Aurora cousins might change pleas in terror plot
A resolution may be near in the terror case against two Aurora cousins who federal authorities say intended to join Islamic State militants and plotted to attack a Joliet military base.
At a brief hearing in Chicago Wednesday, prosecutors told U.S. District Judge John Z. Lee that the suspects soon may change their not guilty pleas.
Jonas Edmonds, 29, and Hasan Edmonds, 22, are being held without bail on charges they conspired to provide support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization.
“We expect this case will be resolved by a guilty plea,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Jonas who asked for an October status date. At that time, attorneys for both sides indicated they may set a date for the Edmonds cousins to change their pleas.
“We're working toward that end,” said Jonas Edmonds' defense attorney James A. Graham, who indicated there were a few issues to be resolved before then. Paul Flynn, attorney for Hasan Edmonds, concurred.
Both attorneys left the courtroom quickly without speaking to the press. Government officials declined to comment on Wednesday's hearing or on any future proceedings.
Federal authorities say the cousins unknowingly began communicating with undercover FBI agents via Facebook earlier this year.
Hasan Edmonds, who was serving as a member of the Illinois Army National Guard at the time, told an undercover agent he had no intention of fulfilling his commitment to the National Guard and claimed it was his “duty” to support the Islamic State, federal authorities said.
He was arrested March 25 as he attempted to board a flight to Egypt at Midway Airport in Chicago. Federal authorities arrested Jonas Edmonds at his home the same day.
Prosecutors say Jonas Edmonds intended to wear his cousin's uniform to infiltrate the Joliet facility where his cousin trained and kill between 100 and 150 people.
If convicted, the cousins face a maximum of 15 years in federal prison. They next appear in court Oct. 13 for a status hearing.