Soldiers face death in alleged terror plot

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SAVANNAH, Ga., Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Three Fort Stewart, Ga., soldiers charged with murder in attempting to keep a clandestine militia group secret could face the death penalty, officials said.

Isaac Aguigui, the alleged ringleader of a group that allegedly killed two people and described in court papers as plotting to overthrow the government and engage in domestic terrorist acts that include blowing up a dam in Aguigui's home state of Washington, has been served with a notice that the state intends to seek the death penalty, Long County, Ga., District Attorney Tom Durden said.

Aguigui and three alleged accomplices shot and killed Michael Roark, believed to be a militia member pulling away from the group and likely to betray it, and Tiffany York, Roark's girlfriend who was present at the execution-style slaying and needed to be silenced, Durden said.

The bodies of Roark and York were found along a deserted road near the Fort Stewart base in December, WSAV-TV, Savannah, Ga., reported Thursday.

Defendants Christopher Salmon and Anthony Peden have also been informed they will be tried with the state seeking the death penalty, on charges including domestic terrorism, the television station said.

A fourth defendant, Michael Burnett, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the deaths of Roark and York Monday, court documents said.