Militia Leader Sentenced to Nearly 26 Years

The leader of an Alaska militia convicted of conspiring to murder federal officials will spend nearly 26 years in prison.

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by MARK THIESSEN, Associated Press

Story Created: Jan 8, 2013 at 8:49 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jan 8, 2013 at 8:49 PM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - The leader of an Alaska militia convicted of conspiring to murder federal officials will spend nearly 26 years in prison.

Judge Robert Bryan on Tuesday sentenced Schaeffer Cox during a hearing in U.S. District Court in Anchorage.

Before he was sentenced, Cox apologized to family and friends. He said he was acting out of fear before his arrest in March 2011, and it only got worse the more scared he became.

Cox was convicted in June of nine federal charges, including conspiracy to kill federal law enforcement officers and possession of illegal weapons.

Another former Alaska Peacekeepers Militia member, Lonnie Vernon, also received nearly 26 years in prison when he was sentenced Monday on conspiracy to murder federal officials and weapons charges.

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