Second Man Expected to Plead Guilty to Threatening 'South Park' Creators

(NewsCore) - A second man is expected to plead guilty to threatening "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone over their cartoon's depiction of Muhammad.

Jesse Morton, a convert to Islam also known as Younus Abdullah Mohammad, plans to appear in federal court in Alexandria, Va., on Thursday, his lawyer told Politico.

He will plead guilty to conspiracy, communicating threats, and internet stalking, Politico reported. Each felony carries a sentence of up to five years in prison.

A spokesman for the US Attorney's Office in Alexandria had no immediate comment, the report said.

Morton was arrested in Morocco last May in connection with alleged threats aimed at Parker and Stone posted on the Revolution Muslim website. The comments followed a "South Park" episode that depicted Muhammad as a man in a bear suit.

Many Muslims find any satirical depiction of Muhammad to be deeply offensive.

James Hundley, a lawyer for Morton, said the case against his client presented free speech issues. But he said his client decided to take a plea agreement rather than risk trial on more serious charges, Politico reported.

Morton, a former resident of Brooklyn, N.Y., was the second person charged with making threats against Parker and Stone.

In February, Zachary Adam Chesser, 21, was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to posting online threats.

Read more: Politico.com