PHOENIX — Members of the Viper Militia ended months of silence Wednesday as they were sentenced to prison on explosives and weapons charges. They accused the government of exaggerating their paramilitary activities to look tough on domestic terrorism.
Six of 10 members of the Phoenix-area paramilitary group who have pleaded guilty were sentenced Wednesday, getting the most lenient prison terms possible under plea agreements with the government. The other four were to be sentenced today.
All 12 members of the "Viper Team" arrested last summer were in court Wednesday along with 70 family members, friends and attorneys.
The case made headlines after federal officials said the arrests "averted a terrible terrorist attack."
But the militia members were only charged with lesser explosives and weapons charges, and an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms testified that no plot was imminent.
The sentences ranged from a year and a day in prison with a $1,500 fine to three concurrent 37-month terms and a $2,500 fine.
