Jose Padilla, a Chicago gang member once accused by the Bush administration of plotting a radioactive bomb attack, was sentenced by a US court today to 208 months, or more than 17 years, in prison for supporting terrorism.
Padilla, a US Muslim convert turned al-Qaeda recruit, and two co-defendants were convicted in August on charges of conspiracy to murder, kidnap and maim people abroad, conspiracy to provide material support for terrorism, and providing material support for terrorism.
