‘NATO 3’ receive lengthy sentences

According to Press TV, Jared Chase, 29, Brent Betterly, 26, and Brian Jacob Church, 22, were sentenced to eight, six, and five years in prison respectively for what had been branded as an act of terrorism by the prosecution.

The trio, known as the NATO-3, was planning to attack high-profile targets during the 2012 NATO summit in Chicago.

According to prosecutors, the three intended to attack President Barack Obama’s campaign headquarters, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s house and police facilities, during the event.

They all were convicted of misdemeanor mob action and felony possession of an incendiary device with the intent to commit arson.

During the trial, their attorneys had portrayed the defendants as drunken braggarts who had talked big to impress undercover officers.

The defense argued that the criminals were goofs who were coaxed by two police officers working their first undercover investigation.

The court acquitted the men on more serious terrorism-related charges.