Landstown plot case: Teen pleads guilty

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - One of three teenagers accused in a plot to set off bombs at Landstown High School in Virginia Beach pleaded guilty to three charges Wednesday.

The 16-year-old suspect admitted to possession of a weapon to commit a terror attack, possession of a sawed off shotgun and conspiracy. The teen will be back in Juvenile Court on September 22.

A second 16-year-old suspect pleaded guilty last week to two counts: possession of a sawed off shotgun and possessing a weapon of terrorism to commit a terrorist attack. He will be sentenced September 22 and will remain in custody until then.

A Virginia Beach judge sent the case of Philip Bay, also charged in the plot, to Circuit Court. Bay will now be tried as an adult.

Bay was arrested and charged with ten counts manufacturing and possessing an explosive device and one count manufacturing an explosive device for the use of a terrorist attack back in April. Police say they found explosives, guns and videos in Bay's home. Police say they also found a hit list of 12 students the teen allegedly planned to target.

Judge Randy Blow ruled there is probable cause, specifically from the video and explosives found at Bay's home, that he committed the crimes and should be tried as an adult. Bay's attorney James Broccoletti, objected to the judge's order and said, “We argued they all three were culpable and the other two were treated as juveniles, and he should be treated as a juvenile too. If Bay is found guilty, he could spend the rest of his life in jail.

Commonwealth's Attorney Harvey Bryant called Bay the mastermind of the plot. Bryant said, “There was clearly a planned attack on Landstown for several reasons Bay gave on the tape. They were planning to take weapons and explosives into Landstown High School...he talks about inflicting damage to Landstown, and lots of talk about death and killing.”

Bay's mother refused to comment when asked whether she knew he had the explosive devices in the home. “She loves her son. She's caring. She works hard. She's working a significant part of the time, but you have to ask the Mom that,” Broccoletti says.