USA v. Finton, Michael
Springfield, IL

Homegrown

Michael Finton (a/k/a Talib Islam) was indicted on charges of attempted murder of federal employees and attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction (explosives) in connection with a plot to detonate a vehicle at the federal building in Springfield, IL. Finton pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 28 years in prison. In a conversation with a government informant, Finton said he was upset with the December 2008 military attack launched by Israel against Hamas in the Gaza strip. Finton further expressed a desire to undergo military training and travel to Gaza to fight on behalf of the Palestinians.