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MIAMI — The ringleader of a group described by prosecutors as plotting terrorism attacks on Chicago’s Sears Tower and FBI offices in hopes of sparking an anti-government insurrection was sentenced Friday to 13 1/2 years in prison.
Narseal Batiste, 35, dabbed at his eyes when U.S. District Judge Joan Lenard wondered in court how he was transformed from a family man to the leader of a quasi-religious, paramilitary group seeking support from al-Qaeda.
Batiste, who faced a maximum of 70 years in prison, was convicted in May. Four other men also were convicted.
The case began with an FBI raid in June 2006 on the group’s warehouse in Miami. U.S. officials acknow ledged at the time the plots never got past the discussion stage.
