On July 10, 2012, Rezwan Ferdaus -- an Ashland, Massachusetts man who holds a degree in physics from Northeastern University -- agreed to plead guilty to a terrorism plot to fly explosive-filled remote-controlled airplanes (similar to drones) into the Pentagon and the U.S. Capitol buildings in Washington, D.C.
Under the agreement reached by federal prosecutors and his lawyers, Ferdaus -- a Muslim-American -- would serve 17 years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.
Ferdaus, 26, faced life in prison under sentencing guidelines for those charges, before the agreement was reached. Prosecutors have also agreed to dismiss four additional charges against Ferdaus of supporting terrorists and obtaining weapons, in exchange for his agreement to plead guilty.
A hearing for Ferdaus to plead guilty has been set for July 20 in U.S. District Court where the agreement is expected to be approved by a judge.
Ferdaus was arrested by FBI agents posing as al-Qaida members in September 2011 -- just after the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks -- in one of the most significant terrorist plots the United States has seen in the past decade.
The fact is that Ferdaus -- described by former Northeastern fellow students as being a peaceful musician -- grew angry toward the United States during the past few years, as he became an extremist in his Islam religion.
All in all, Ferdaus can consider himself as being "lucky" for only having to serve 17 years in prison -- instead of the usual life sentence -- for such a deadly terrorist plot.
Indeed, Ferdaus will have ample time to contemplate his inhumane plot during his prison years, and -- if he is wise -- he will reverse his angry attitude toward America into one of genuine love for his country and its citizens.
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