Tel-Chai Nation

The thing is, I don't think the judge gave the man a hard enough sentence. But, here's the news on Agron Abdullahu's conviction (via Michelle Malkin):

A man who admitted letting a group of accused terror-plotters shoot his guns at a firing range was sentenced to 20 months in prison on Monday.

U.S. District Judge Robert Kugler said Agron Abdullahu deserved more than the 10 to 16 months that sentencing guidelines call for because he knew the men were talking about violence against Americans.

"I am convinced that he is not as innocent as he'd like us to believe," Kugler said before handing down his sentence. "This is not a common, ordinary, technical violation of the law."

However, the sentence was less than half the five-year maximum allowed.

With time served and credit for good behavior, it's likely he'll be free before the end of the year, though he could face deportation.

He most certainly should have his citizenship or legal residency status revoked. I'm disappointed however, that the judge seems to have let some bleeding heartiness seep in:

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hammer said it was clear that Abdullahu knew that the other men were talking about committing violence _ even if he was not aware of a specific terrorist plot.

Judge Kugler agreed, but dismissed the government's contention that Abdullahu knew enough that higher sentencing guidelines should be used.

Kugler said his sentence was harsher than it could have been partly because of drawings found etched into the door of Abdullahu's cell at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia. One had a gun pointed at the words, "FBI."

While the judge was disturbed by that behavior, as well as Abdullahu's interest in making bombs, he seemed to struggle with finding an appropriate sentence.

"There's too much good in this man," Kugler said, to give him the maximum sentence the government sought.

Sorry, but I must disagree. There's nothing of the sort in him, and he should've reported them if he knew that they were even remotely capable of trying to pull a heinous crime like they were planning.

Labels: terrorism, United States, war on terror