by the Associated Press

The alleged ringleader of a foiled plot to massacre Muslims in southwest Kansas has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Patrick Stein was sentenced Friday for his role in the plot to blow up a mosque and apartments housing Somali immigrants in Garden City. The attack was planned for the day after the 2016 election. Stein was one of three militia members convicted last year.

The plot was thwarted by another militia member who tipped off authorities to escalating threats of violence. He testified that Stein started recruiting others to kill Muslim immigrants after the June 2016 mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, by a gunman who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.

Prosecutors had sought life in prison. Stein’s attorneys asked for 15 years.

A judge sentenced Stein to 30 years for conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and 10 years for conspiracy against civil rights. The sentences will run concurrently.

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A judge also sentenced Curtis Allen on Friday for his role in the plot.

Allen was sentenced to 25 years for conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and 10 years for conspiracy against civil rights. The sentences will run concurrently.

Authorities say Allen drafted the group’s handwritten manifesto that outlined grievances against the government for in the document’s words “not enforcing our borders.” Authorities say the men planned to release the manifesto after the bombing.

Prosecutors had sought life in prison. Allen’s attorneys asked for 10 years.

A third man, Gavin Wright, was sentenced to 26 years in prison for his involvement in the plot.  Prosecutors say Wright helped work on homemade bombs at his G&G Mobile Home Sales business in the nearby city of Liberal.