Militiamen Plead Guilty To Conspiracy To Acquire Pipe Bombs, Grenades

Sign up for the Cartersville Patch newsletter!

-----

Two of three Rome residents charged with conspiring to use explosives to launch a terrorist attack against government agencies.

Brian Cannon and Cory Williamson both pleaded guilty on Tuesday, May 26 to conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction before U.S. District Court Judge Harold Murphy, the FBI’s Atlanta office said.

Fellow suspect, Terry Peace, has a scheduled court appearance for Thursday, May 28. Sentencing for Cannon and Williamson will be held Aug. 7.

Authorities say that between Jan. 23 and Feb. 15 of last year, Cannon, Williamson and Peace participated in online chat discussions about carrying out an operation against the government that was to be launched in February.

• RELATED: FBI Arrests Georgia Militiamen Trying to Buy Pipe Bombs, Thermite

Peace encouraged members of the militia to review guerrilla warfare tactics, small unit tactics, accumulate supplies, and prepare their families, authorities charge. Peace also identified targets such as “…TSA, DHS, non-emergency FEMA, road blocks, etc.”

The discussions were reported to the FBI, and the agency then began consensually monitoring the communications.

To prepare for the mission, Peace allegedly asked a cooperating witness to provide them with 12 pipe bombs and two thermite grenades. Peace, Cannon and Williamson subsequently planned to meet with a cooperating federal witness to take possession of the items after they were made.

On Feb. 15, authorities allege that Peace, Cannon and Williamson drove to a location in Cartersville to meet with the witness. Authorities had given the witness 12 inert pipe bombs and two inert thermite devices, which were made to look authentic.

All three defendants were arrested as they took possession of the explosives. The trio had initial appearances in federal court three days later and were all charged in a criminal complaint.

----

Image via Shutterstock