Defense attorneys for a former Manitoba Canadian Armed Forces reservist say he should be sentenced to 33 months and argue that he never intended to promote terrorism in the United States.
28-year-old Patrik Mathews pleaded guilty earlier this year to four counts, including illegally carrying a firearm and obstruction of justice.
Mathews and two American co-defendants were arrested last year by the FBI.
Attorneys representing Mathews filed documents with the Maryland District Court this week saying that while many people may find Mathews’ beliefs repugnant, he never intended or planned to commit violence.
Read more:
Former Manitoba reservist should be sentenced to 25 years in prison, US prosecutors say.
Prosecutors are seeking what is called a “terrorism enhancement” that would significantly increase his prison sentence and have recommended that he serve 25 years behind bars.
They argue that Mathews was working alongside a group of white supremacists called The Base to start a civil war killing on a large scale.
© 2021 The Canadian Press
Reference-globalnews.ca