ILLINOIS - Two men from central Illinois who were suspected - then arrested - in a string of robberies, arsons and other crimes across several states have plead guilty in federal court.
Federal authorities advise that Michael McWorter, 29, and Joe Morris, 23, of Clarence Illinois, in Ford County (northeast of Champaign), entered guilty pleas to their charges having been filed in the wake of a crime spree that federal authorities say are motivated by being a part of a central Illinois "militia" group, the "White Rabbits" (likely this press information is capitalizing on the demonization of all things "white nationalist," as there's nothing wrong with a militia, that term being featured prominently in the U.S. Constitution.)
This "militia group," press material takes pains to point out, was "stated by Michael Hari," who happens to be a third defendant but whose exact charges, as of Jan. 24, hadn't yet been determined.
The crimes the two have been charged with involve throwing a pip bomb into a mosque in Bloomington, Minnesota; an armed home invasion in Ambia, Indiana in December 2017; and armed robberies in two Illinois Walmarts, Watseka and Mt. Vernon in downstate Illinois.
They are further charged with an arson, this at the Women's Health Practice in Champaign in November of 2017. Notably, McWhorter and Morris have both admitted to these crimes, although the why of it hasn't been addressed nor answered as of yet.