Free Republic

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2009 – The last of five defendants found guilty in a terror plot to kill soldiers at Fort Dix, N.J., were sentenced today, with four to serve the rest of their lives behind bars and one sentenced to 33 years in prison. Mohamad Shnewer, who a federal judge described as the “epicenter” of the plot, was sentenced in New Jersey earlier today to life plus 30 years in prison. Serdar Tatar, a convenience store clerk in Philadelphia who provided the other conspirators a map of Fort Dix, received a 33-year sentence today. Three brothers involved in...

Judges are free to impose harsher sentences on criminals who are in this country illegally, the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled Friday. In a unanimous decision, the three-judge panel rejected arguments by the attorney for Andres C. Alire, a 46-year-old Mexican national, that his immigration status is irrelevant to his punishment. Alire was convicted of driving under the influence in Pima County. Appeals Court Judge Peter Eckerstrom said sentencing judges have wide latitude to consider all sorts of factors. State Rep. Ben Miranda, D-Phoenix, said he believes the decision is wrong. Miranda, an attorney, said the ruling improperly muddies the...