Man Plotting to Kill Federal Employees Gets 30 in Prison

A Cincinnati man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for plotting, planning, and attempting an attack on government officials during the 2015 State of the Union Address in the name of ISIS.

Christopher Cornell, 22, pled guilty to three charges, including attempted murder of U.S. officials and employees, and trying to provide support to a terrorist organization. on Aug. 1. He was sentenced in Ohio Dec. 5.

 “Cornell plotted to commit violence as a symbolic attack on the United States as a whole.  An attempt to murder another individual is horrific enough and justifies a significant sentence.  But this was more than that.  Cornell wanted to inflict pain on the spirit of the entire country, and terrorize its leadership.  Today’s sentence appropriately holds him accountable for that,” U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman of the Southern District of Ohio said.

Moments after the U.S. District Court in Cincinnati sentence, Cornell said the courts are a "rigged a-- system" and that "Allah's in control, not the judge."

According to the plea agreement, from on or about August 2014 through January 2015, Cornell plotted, planned and attempted to travel to Washington, D.C., in order to attack the U.S. Capitol during the State of the Union Address on Jan. 20, 2015.

Cornell was detained by the FBI on Jan. 14, 2015, by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).  After his arrest, he posted statements online that included a call for others to join him in violent jihad against the United States and its citizens on behalf of ISIS, according to admissions made in connection with the plea agreement.

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