NEW YORK (AP) — A man from India has pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges, admitting sending $15,000 to a supposed hitman to assassinate a prominent Sikh separatist leader living in New York City. Nikhil Gupta entered the plea Friday in Manhattan federal court. His intended victim, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, was not in court but about two dozen other Sikhs observed the proceedings. They briefly chanted a victory slogan after the proceeding ended and then rallied outside the courthouse. Pannun, who advocates for the creation of a sovereign Sikh state and is considered a terrorist by the Indian government, called Gupta a foot soldier and said the U.S. needs to punish those who directed him.