White Supremacist To Plead Guilty To Torching Black Neighbors' Home

JOLIET, Ill. (STMW) -- A white supremacist accused of burning down his black neighbors' home in a racist attack plans to plead guilty, according to court papers filed this week, the Sun-Times is reporting.

Brian Moudry, 35, has until now denied torching a house rented by a black family on his block in Joliet in the early hours of June 17, 2007.

He was due to stand trial next month, but has asked to enter a guilty plea in federal court on Friday, court records show. Eight children had to move because of the alleged arson.

The ex-con has previously served time for hate crimes against African Americans, and has also claimed to be the leader of the Illinois branch of a far-right white hate group led by Matt Hale, who's serving a 40-year prison sentence after being convicted of asking a follower in 2002 to murder U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow.

Moudry's face, neck and arms are covered in racist tattoos.

But in a poetic irony, an African-American federal defender — MiAngel Cody — was last summer appointed to represent Moudry, who could not afford to pay an attorney.

Cody did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Moudry, who remains in custody, faces a minimum of 10 years in prison on two of his three charges.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)