Fla. man convicted in Sears Tower terrorism plot sentenced to 6 years in prison

Fla. man convicted in terror plot gets 6 years

MIAMI — A Miami man convicted of plotting to destroy Chicago’s Sears Tower and bomb FBI offices has been sentenced to six years in federal prison.

U.S. District Judge Joan Lenard imposed the sentence Wednesday on 24-year-old Burson Augustin. Four other men are scheduled to be sentenced over the next three days.

Prosecutors sought the maximum 30-year sentence for Augustin. Lenard ruled stiffer punishments because he was convicted of terrorism-related charges should not apply to Augustin, who was not the leader.

The men were convicted in May of supporting al-Qaida, conspiring to wage war on the U.S. and other charges. There were two mistrials, and two other men were acquitted. All denied plotting terror attacks.

The Chicago skyscraper is now called the Willis Tower.