The first American in eastern Washington to be convicted of assisting terrorists has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Joseph Brice, 22, was arrested after a home made bomb exploded unexpectedly and nearly killed him. He was convicted on charges of attempting to provide material assistance to terrorists and manufacturing an explosive device.

Brice told the judge he regretted the incident, that his actions were just “jokes” that came from a time of deep depression and just wanted to go home. However, the judge said he could not take Brice at his word.

“I can’t sweep all that under the rug,” the judge said. “We are judged by what we say and do.”

After the explosion, the FBI found YouTube videos from Brice on an account named “StrengthofAllah” praising Islamic terrorists and Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. He was also found to have been participating on terrorist websites exchanging information on bomb making.

Brice then responded to an undercover FBI’s agents request offering to help him with a plot to conduct a terror attack on Americans.

The defense tried to support Brice’s claim that the actions came from a time of depression due to the accident but the judge stated the government showed years of online activity by Brice prior to the accident showing his involvement in terrorism.