The U.S. district judge who sentenced Mohammed Hamzah Khan to 40 months in prison for trying to join the Islamic State said his lenient penalty illustrated the compassionate justice he received as compared to the fate he would have faced as a member of the terrorist group, the Chicago Tribune reported.
"Instead of a public beheading, you've been given a public trial proceeding," Judge John Tharp said to the 21-year-old. "The enemy government has not tried to kill you. It has tried to help you . . . Nothing can better expose the moral depravity that is ISIS than to contrast its barbarity with the very high standard of civilized behavior."
Khan, who was born in the U.S. after his parents had immigrated from India, could have received 15 years in prison for attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization, but was given less time for helping federal authorities identify two Islamic State recruiters.
The case gained national attention in 2014 when Khan, then 19, was arrested trying to fly overseas to join Islamic State.
The Daily Caller reported that Khan hopes to attend college already next year. He has been in custody for two years, which he received credit for as time served and with good behavior can be eligible for release this coming August.
As part of a deal, Khan will remain under court supervision for at least 20 years after his release, the Chicago Tribune reported. He must also receive counseling, perform at least 120 hours of community service annually and allow his cellphone, email and computer to be searched without a warrant.
Khan's father thanked the judicial system for the second chance given his son.
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