ST. LOUIS (CN) - Two men who plotted to blow up a police station during the Ferguson protests were sentenced Thursday to seven years in federal prison.
Olajuwon Ali Davis, 23, and Brandon Orlando Baldwin, 24, pleaded guilty in June to four explosives and gun charges.
"The disruption of this plot, coming as it did on the eve of the expected grand jury announcement, undoubtedly saved lives," U.S. Attorney Richard Callahan said in a statement. "Luckily for all of us, we'll never know just how many."
Davis, a member of the New Black Panther Party, met Baldwin, who worked for Cabela's - a federally licensed gun dealer - during the Ferguson protests in August 2014. They discussed ways to buy guns from Cabela's and get them into the hands of protesters. Then their talks escalated into procuring bombs.
Prosecutors said possible bomb targets included St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch, the former Ferguson police chief and certain public buildings.
David and Baldwin were arrested on Nov. 20 while trying to buy three bombs from undercover agents.
"We are pleased both members of the New Black Panther Party, St. Louis Chapter admitted their guilt before the court," said William P. Woods, the agent in charge of the FBI St. Louis field office. "The ultimate satisfaction is that we prevented their violent acts during the Ferguson protests, which saved lives."
Both men apologized in court for what they themselves called their stupidity. Davis spoke personally, Baldwin through a letter read by his attorney.
Law enforcement officials have said there was no indication that the New Black Panther Party supported the men's plans.
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