October Lewis, one of seven Portland-area residents charged with conspiring to help al-Qaida and the Taliban fight U.S. forces in Afghanistan, pleaded guilty yesterday to money laundering. She will serve three years in a minimum- or medium-security federal prison. In exchange, she will testify against her former husband, Jeffrey Leon Battle, and another defendant. In addition, prosecutors dropped charges against her of conspiracy to levy war against the United States, to contribute services to al-Qaida and the Taliban and to provide material support and resources to al-Qaida. She could have faced life in prison if convicted on all counts.
| Sure hope she's got some good testimony to trade... |
|