James Stumbo, from left, attorney Steve Goldwyn, Kevin Norton and attorney Robert LeRoy during a change of plea and sentencing for Stumbo and Norton, accused of bringing guns and ammunition to Boston after allegedly making online threats against the Pokemon World Championships, inside Suffolk Superior Court in Boston on Thursday, July 21, 2016. (Patrick Whittemore/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) - Two Iowa men who made online threats against the Pokemon World Championships and took guns and ammunition to the event in Boston last August have each been sentenced to two years in prison.
Boone resident James Stumbo and Ames resident Kevin Norton also were each given two years of probation and ordered to undergo mental health evaluations and possess no weapons after their prison time.
The men initially faced a total of five weapons charges, but that was reduced to two each as they changed their pleas from not guilty to guilty in Boston on Thursday.
The men were arrested while trying to register for the event. Authorities found an AR-15 rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun and 300 rounds of ammunition in their car.
The men's lawyers have said the online remarks were idle chatter.
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This story has been corrected to show the men faced 2 charges each, not 2 total.
The Honorable Rosalind Miller speaks during a change of plea and sentencing for James Stumbo and Kevin Norton accused of bringing guns and ammunition to Boston after allegedly making online threats against the Pokemon World Championships, inside Suffolk Superior Court in Boston on Thursday, July 21, 2016. (Patrick Whittemore/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press
James Stumbo, from left, attorney Steve Goldwyn, Kevin Norton and attorney Robert LeRoy stand during a change of plea and sentencing for Stumbo and Norton, accused of bringing guns and ammunition to Boston after allegedly making online threats against the Pokemon World Championships, inside Suffolk Superior Court in Boston on Thursday, July 21, 2016. (Patrick Whittemore/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)
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Kevin Norton is seated during a change of plea and sentencing for James Stumbo and Norton, accused of bringing guns and ammunition to Boston after allegedly making online threats against the Pokemon World Championships, inside Suffolk Superior Court in Boston on Thursday, July 21, 2016. (Patrick Whittemore/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press
James Stumbo is seated during a change of plea and sentencing for Stumbo and Kevin Norton, accused of bringing guns and ammunition to Boston after allegedly making online threats against the Pokemon World Championships, inside Suffolk Superior Court in Boston on Thursday, July 21, 2016. (Patrick Whittemore/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press
A court officer, from left, escorts James Stumbo and Kevin Norton during a change of plea and sentencing for Stumbo and Norton, accused of bringing guns and ammunition to Boston after allegedly making online threats against the Pokemon World Championships, inside Suffolk Superior Court in Boston on Thursday, July 21, 2016. (Patrick Whittemore/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press
James Stumbo, left, and Kevin Norton enter a courtroom for a change of plea and sentencing for Stumbo and Norton, accused of bringing guns and ammunition to Boston after allegedly making online threats against the Pokemon World Championships, at Suffolk Superior Court in Boston on Thursday, July 21, 2016. (Patrick Whittemore/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press