US gang member jailed for 17 years for terror support

JOSE PADILLA, a former Chicago gang member once accused by the Bush administration of plotting a radioactive bomb attack, was sentenced by a US court yesterday to 17 years and four months in prison for supporting terrorism.

He and two co-defendants were convicted in August on charges of conspiracy to murder, kidnap and maim people abroad, conspiracy to provide material support for terrorism, and providing material support for terrorism.

Co-defendant Adham Hassoun was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in prison and Kifah Jayyousi was sentenced to 12 years and eight months.