WACO, Texas — An AWOL soldier was sentenced today to life in prison for collecting bomb-making materials to carry out what he told authorities would be a “massive attack” on a Texas restaurant full of Fort Hood troops.

Army Pfc. Naser Jason Abdo, a Muslim, was planning a religious mission to win “justice” for the people of Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a recorded jail conservation with his mother played for jurors at trial.

U.S. District Judge Walter Smith allowed Abdo to represent himself at the sentencing after the 22-year-old told the judge last month that he and his attorneys weren’t communicating effectively.

Abdo, who was sentenced to two life terms plus additional time, again appeared in federal court with a covering over his mouth after previously being accused of spitting blood on authorities who were escorting him. He wore striped jail clothing and had his hands shackled.

A federal jury convicted Abdo in May on six charges, including attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction. He was AWOL from Fort Campbell, Ky., when arrested with bomb-making materials last summer at a Fort Hood-area motel.

He also was found guilty of attempted murder of U.S. officers or employees and four counts of possessing a weapon in furtherance of a federal crime of violence.