This undated photo released by the U.S. Attorney's office in Pittsburgh, shows Emerson Begolly, of Redbank Township, Armstrong Country, Pa. Begolly, whom authorities called a “homegrown, radical extremist”, was sentenced Tuesday, July 16, 2013 to 8 1/2 years in prison for using the Internet to promote terrorist attacks against American military and civilian targets.

PITTSBURGH — A Western Pennsylvania man whom authorities called a “homegrown, radical extremist” was sentenced Tuesday to 8½ years in prison for helping lead an Internet forum that promoted terrorist attacks against American military and civilian targets.

The sentence for Emerson Begolly, 24, formerly of Redbank Township, also includes time for having a concealed gun and biting an FBI agent when he was arrested in 2011.

Begolly apologized for his posts and disavowed his stated beliefs, telling the judge his comments were “completely reckless. No good would have come from making such comments.”

“All I want to do is pursue a path of peace and righteousness,” Begolly continued. “I feel I’ve learned my lesson and I feel I don’t want to make jail a revolving door for myself.”

Begolly’s online rants were primarily meant to attract attention and kudos from others on the forum, public defender Marketa Sims had argued, though she and Begolly acknowledged others might have been incited to violence nonetheless.

His online persona, “Abu Nancy,” referred to a fantasy female friend. Begolly got involved in the Web forum less because of the ideas espoused than because he received praise there, Sims argued.