Duo Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy Against U.S.
The last two members of what authorities called a terrorist cell based in Portland, Ore., pleaded guilty Thursday to plotting to fight for the Taliban, ending the case without any trials of the six people in U.S. custody. Under a deal that will require them each to serve 18 years in prison, Jeffrey Leon Battle and Patrice Lumumba Ford admitted in federal court in Portland to one count of conspiracy to levy war against the United States. Both had faced life in prison if convicted on 14 other counts related to their admitted plan to travel to Afghanistan to fight U.S. soldiers. Those charges have been dropped. Full Story