A judge ordered a man convicted in a post-9/11 terrorism sting to be freed from prison after criticizing the FBI for using an “unsavory” confidential informant to invent a conspiracy where the man would blow up New York synagogues and shoot down National Guard planes.
U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon granted compassionate release from prison to James Cromitie, 58, on Friday, six months after she had ordered the release of Cromitie’s three co-defendants – known as the Newburgh Four – for similar reasons. All four men, who are Black, were convicted of terrorism charges in 2010, and each had served more than 10 years in prison.
Cromitie served 15 years in prison on a sentence of at least 25 years. The judge ordered his sentence be reduced to time served plus 90 days.
The FBI came under scrutiny, accused of entrapping a group of vulnerable men with criminal records by offering them an opportunity to commit a crime.
More on the terrorism charges and cases against the Newburgh Four.
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