An Ohio man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for plotting to attack government officials during the 2015 State of the Union in the name of the Islamic State group, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Christopher Lee Cornell, 22, of Green Township, Ohio, pleaded guilty to attempting to murder government employees and officials, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and attempting to provide material support of a designated foreign terrorist organization (ISIS). In addition to his jail sentence, Cornell will also serve a lifetime term of supervised release.
“The seriousness of this crime is apparent,” said U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman, of the Southern District of Ohio. “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.”
According to the plea agreement, Cornell plotted 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. He said he intended to kill officers and employees at the Capitol and possessed two semi-automatic rifles and about 600 rounds of ammunition.
Cornell was arrested by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force six days before the State of the Union Address. 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 the plea agreement.
