Nov. 19--Two Aurora cousins who had allegedly aligned themselves with the Islamic State terror organization intend to plead guilty next month to charges alleging they plotted to carry out an attack earlier this year on the Joliet Armory.
In a brief court hearing Thursday, a lawyer for Jonas and Hasan Edmonds said both are finalizing written plea agreements with prosecutors.
U.S. District Judge John Lee set separate hearings next month for the two to plead guilty.
The indictment charges both with conspiring to provide material support and resources to Islamic State.
Prosecutors have alleged that on March 24 the two traveled to the Joliet Armory, where Hasan Edmonds, 23, had trained with the Illinois National Guard, to scout the facility for an attack with AK-47 assault rifles and grenades. Jonas Edmonds, 30, was going to carry out the attack while wearing his cousin's uniform from his service with the Joliet-based 634th Brigade Support Battalion, according to a criminal complaint filed in March. They hoped the attack would kill as many as 150, charges alleged.
Hasan Edmonds was arrested the day after their scouting trip at Midway Airport as he prepared to board a flight to join terrorist fighters overseas, prosecutors said. His cousin was arrested two hours later at his two-flat in Aurora.
Federal agents had been tracking them since late last year when Hasan Edmonds exchanged Facebook messages about his desire to join Islamic State with an agent posing as a militant, according to the complaint.
The cousins, who are being held without bond, face up to 15 years in prison each if convicted.
jmeisner@tribpub.com
