Two of four young men arrested for plotting to attack an upstate New York Muslim community with homemade explosives were sentenced Friday to four to 12 years in prison. Brian Colaneri, 20, and Andrew Crysel, 19, pleaded guilty to terrorism conspiracy in June. Islamberg is a rural Delaware County community
Investigators uncovered the plot after a student reported a suspicious comment in a lunchroom.
"This horrible incident shows the importance of coming forward if you believe there is any chance of violence against another," Assistant District Attorney Matthew Schwartz said. "Thank you to the members of the community who voiced their concerns and the Greece Police Department for investigating the matter."
Prosecutors said that for months late last year, Vetromile, Colaneri and Crysel made plans to acquire weapons and discussed strategies and methods for an attack. Vetromile, they said, solicited an individual to make explosive devices.
"These defendants targeted the inhabitants of Islamberg solely because of their religious beliefs," Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley said, "and will have years in the New York State Department of Corrections to reflect on the severity of their actions."
