Members of an Amish breakaway group in Ohio have been found guilty of hate crimes by carrying out beard- and hair-cutting attacks against fellow Amish in a dispute over religious differences.

The jury on Thursday also found their leader, Samuel Mullet Sr., guilty of planning the attacks last fall in eastern Ohio.

Mullet and his family members were among 16 people who have been on trial in Cleveland.

They all face prison terms of 10 years or more.

The decision was announced in a Cleveland federal court during the jury's fifth day of deliberation.

The defendants are from the Bergholz settlement in Jefferson County. Sheriff Fred Abdalla was initially expected to testify, but was never called as a witness.

On Friday, NEWS9 contacted members of the Bergholz settlement for comment about the verdict. A woman on the property who did not identify herself said, "Just go."

Prosecutors said the Mullet orchestrated the attacks last fall that terrorized Amish communities in eastern Ohio. Mullet and his family members are among 16 people who've been on trial in federal court.

Prosecutors said the defendants planned or took part in at least one of five attacks last fall, cutting off Amish men's beards and women's hair because the hair carries spiritual significance in the faith.

Defense attorneys conceded that the hair- and beard-cuttings took place but argue that the government is overreaching by calling what happened hate crimes. They said the cuttings were merely family disputes.

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