NEW YORK (AP) — A man who pleaded guilty to rare state-level charges that he plotted to blow up New York City synagogues has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Ahmed Ferhani (fur-HAH'-nee) was one of two men arrested in a May 2011 weapons-buying sting. Authorities called him a home-grown terrorist out to avenge abuse of Muslims around the world.
At his sentencing Friday, Ferhani apologized for humiliating his family and he said he would spend his years in jail strengthening his mind and character.
Ferhani's lawyers initially said the Algeria native was mentally unstable. They also said the prosecution was based on insufficient evidence and dubious tactics.
Ferhani pleaded guilty in December.
A grand jury declined to indict Ferhani and a co-defendant on a top-level terror conspiracy charge.
