TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Public defenders have withdrawn from representing a Topeka man who pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges and admitted to plotting to bomb a northeast Kansas military installation.

Defense attorney Melody Brannon said Friday during a brief federal court hearing that a potential conflict of interest had developed with 21-year-old John T. Booker Jr.

U.S. District Judge Carlos Murguia granted a request from Brannon and fellow public defender Kirk Redmond to withdraw and plans to appoint a private attorney.

Booker was arrested last year outside Fort Riley trying to arm what he thought was a 1,000-pound bomb and later acknowledged attempting to help the Islamic State group. His February plea agreement with prosecutors calls for a 30-year prison sentence.

Murguia has yet to schedule a sentencing hearing for Booker.