RICHMOND, Va. -- A man who plead guilty to his role in a plot to terrorize synagogues and African-American churches in Virginia was sentenced to 17 and a half years in prison. Robert Doyle, 34, appeared in federal court Wednesday.
He said he was embarrassed and ashamed about the crimes and called himself a "hardworking family man that just engaged in reckless conversations."
Robert Doyle
Doyle previously pleaded guilty to plotting to rob a local jeweler. The money he obtained from the robbery would be used to buy weapons to attack houses of worship.
The officials charges he faced were conspiracy to affect commerce by robbery, forfeiture allegation, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, aiding and abetting.
During his sentencing, Doyle apologized to his family and the community.
He said the interpretation of the conversations for which he was arrested were exaggerated and added he did not have any firearms.
He said he wished he could go back, but said he "cannot change the past. I can only change the future."
He also asked God to change him mentally and spiritually.
Upon his release from prison, Doyle was order to never possess a firearm nor explosive devices.
He would also not be allowed to have contact with Aryan Brotherhood or other white supremacist groups.
Doyle was one of three men arrested in the white supremacist plot.
All three men pleaded guilty to the crimes.
