Ex-Soldier Charged in Militia Case to Appear in Court

A former soldier is scheduled to appear in court today on charges that he destroyed evidence to protect members of an anarchist militia group operating on Fort Stewart, according to an Associated Press report.

Christopher Jenderseck, a former Army private first class, is one of 10 people -- mostly current or former soldiers -- accused of belonging to a militia group prosecutors say was planning terrorist attacks in Savannah and Washington state and the assasination of the president.

Prosectors say Jenderseck, charged with illegal gang activity and evidence tampering, destroyed shotgun shells, clothing and a cell phone after the December murders of ex-soldier Michael Roark and his girlfriend Tiffany York.

Four other alleged members of the group are charged with the murders. Pvt. Isaac Aguigui, Sgt. Anthony Peden and Pvt. Christopher Salmon could face the death penalty if convicted for the killings. A fourth soldier, Pfc. Michael Burnett, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and is testifying against the other three defendants.

According to testimony from Burnett, Aguigui ordered the killings because Roark -- thought to be a member of the militia -- had left the Army and it was feared he might betray the group.

More on the murders of Michael Roark and Tiffany York:

• Four Fort Stewart Soldiers Arrested in Double Murder Case
• Four 3rd ID Soldiers Charged with Murder
• Prosecutors: Murder of Former Soldier Part of Plot Against Government
• Prosecutors: Fort Stewart Soldier Used Insurance Money to Finance Militia
• 3 Fort Stewart Soldiers Face Death Penalty in Murder Case
• Prosecutors: Fort Stewart Militia Leader Used Video Games to Lure Recruits