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Judge weighs 5 year prison sentence for man in Fort Riley bomb plot

Blair- photo Shawnee County
Blair- photo Shawnee County

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Sentencing has been postponed for a 29-year-old Topeka man accused of helping a would-be jihadist’s unsuccessful plot to bomb an Army post in Kansas.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree said Thursday he is considering whether Alexander Blair’s crime qualifies for the five-year sentence prosecutors want. Blair’s attorney is seeking a sentence of five years’ probation.

Sentencing is now set for Oct. 18.

Court documents say Blair loaned $100 to another man who tried to plant what they thought was an explosive device outside Fort Riley in support of the Islamic State group.

Blair’s attorney said Blair has an unusual genetic condition that made it easy for John Booker Jr. to manipulate him. Booker has pleaded guilty to two felonies under an agreement calling for him to serve 30 years in prison.

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