Former Soldier Pleads Guilty in Fort Stewart Militia Case

A former soldier has pleaded guilty to more than 30 charges connected to his membership in a group of Fort Stewart soldiers who prosecutors say planned acts of terrorism, according to an Associated Press report.

Timothy Joiner, 22, pleaded guilty Tuesday to theft, burglary, financial transaction card thefts, violations of the street gang terrorism and prevention act, and other charges. He was sentenced to five years in prison and 10 years of probation, according to the AP.

Prosecutors say Joiner committed various thefts to raise bail money for Pvt. Isaac Aguigui, the alleged leader of the group -- a militia prosecutors say planned to bomb targets in Savannah, poison apple orchards in Washington state and assassinate the president.

Aguigui, along with Sgt. Anthony Peden and Pvt. Christopher Salmon, is currently awaiting trial for the December 2011 slayings of former Fort Stewart soldier Michael Roark and Roark's girlfriend, 17-year-old Tiffany York. A fourth soldier, Pfc. Michael Burnett, pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges and agreed to testify against the others. Prosecutors say Aguigui ordered the murders because he was afraid Roark, a former member of the group, might betray its plans to authorities.

Eleven people have so far been charged in connection with the militia group; Joiner's guilty plea is the third so far in the case. In October, former soldier Christopher Jenderseck pleaded guilty to destroying evidence related to the murders.

Visit the Fort Stewart militia topic page for more information on this case.

Subscribe to the Fort Bragg Patch newsletter and get news, Patch deals and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your inbox.