In light of the recent terrorists attacks in France and today’s (Nov. 20, 2015) hostage crisis and terror attack at a Mali hotel, it is a little scary to contemplate that an Islamic State-related terror attack might have happened here, if not for the intelligence work and quick response of an FBI joint terrorism task force operating in the Aurora area.

This week, the U.S. Department of Justice reports that two Aurora cousins are expected to plead guilty to charges alleging that they planned to carry out an attack at the National Guard Armory, 2900 W. Jefferson St., Joliet.

Army National Guard Specialist Hasan Edmonds, 22, and his cousin, Jonas Edmonds, 30, were arrested on March 25 for allegedly conspiring to provide material support to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a foreign terrorist organization.

Media reports say both men are expected to present plea agreements next month. Both previously had pleaded not guilty.

The plan, according to the U.S. Department of Justice report, was that Hasan Edmonds would travel overseas to wage violence on behalf of ISIL, while Jonas Edmonds would stay in Aurora and later carry out an attack on the Joliet National Guard Armory by donning Hasan’s uniform and using AK-47 assault rifles and grenades.

As part of their plans, Hasan Edmonds booked airline travel to depart from Chicago and arrive in Cairo, with layovers in Detroit and Amsterdam, the Justice Department said. He arrested in March without incident at Chicago Midway International Airport by members of the Chicago FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. Jonas Edmonds was later arrested at his home in Aurora.

Conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, the Department of Justice reports. If convicted, the court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

Read More

• Feds Arrest 2 Aurora Men on Terrorism Charges, Thwart Planned Attack
• Chicago Tribune: 2 Aurora cousins plead guilty to Islamic-State-related terror charges