Two more ordered held in machine gun case

URBANA, Ill. (WAND) - A Ford County man has pleaded guilty to federal charges that he was part of a violent multi-state malicious crime spree. 

Ellis Mack, 18, pleaded guilty to possession of a machine gun and conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce through robbery or attempted extortion. The plea was part of an agreement with federal prosecutors. 

Federal authorities arrested Mack in 2017, as part of the investigation into a Minnesota mosque bombing, the attempted bombing of a Champaign clinic, destruction of a railroad track near Effingham, Walmart robberies and an Indiana home invasion. Mack and three others, Michael Hari, Michael McWhorter and Joe Morris all part of the militia group called "The White Rabbits," federal prosecutors said.

During the hearing, prosecutors revealed fresh details in the case:

  • Investigators believe that, after damaging the railroad tracks, militia members sent a threatening message to the Canadian National Railroad demanding payment in crypto currency.
  • They believe that, in the case of the Indiana home invasion, members pretended to be law enforcement officials conducting a drug raid on the home of a person they believed dealt in drugs.

In an interview with investigators, Mack told authorities he had taken part in an attempted robbery at a Walmart and the Indiana home invasion. Authorities said they believe that attempted Walmart robbery happened in Mount Vernon, Illinois.

A sentencing hearing for Mack is scheduled for Jan. 9.

During the hearing, the magistrate judge told Mack he could face a maximum of ten years in prison for the machine gun charge and 20 years in prison for the conspiracy charge. As part of his agreement with prosecutors, Mack entered a cooperation agreement to help in the case. Per the agreement, prosecutors will tell the court of Mack's help and ask for downward deviation in sentencing if he is helpful, the judge told Mack.

Mack's hearing was held before a magistrate judge who will recommend acceptance of the guilty plea to a circuit judge, the hearing's judge explained.