A British-born man who was a member of a team of Islamic State militants in Syria nicknamed “The Beatles” and accused of beheading American hostages pleaded guilty on Thursday to eight U.S. criminal charges including lethal hostage taking and conspiracy to support terrorists.

       London-born Alexanda Kotey is one of two Islamic State members who were held in Iraq by the U.S. military before being flown to the United States to face trial on terrorism charges.

       Appearing before U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis at a hearing in Alexandria, Virginia, Kotey pleaded guilty to the murders of U.S. journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and aid workers Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassig.

       The charges carried potential death sentences, but U.S. authorities have advised British officials that American prosecutors will not seek the death penalty against Kotey.

       Two Islamic State militants from Britain brought to U.S. to face charges

       Ellis said that under a tentative arrangement between U.S. and British authorities, Kotey could be transferred to Britain after 15 years’ imprisonment. There he could face more charges that could extend the term of his imprisonment.

       Ellis added that as part of the plea, Kotey had agreed to “full complete and truthful” co-operation with U.S. and foreign government investigators and to supervised meetings with members of the families of hostage victims.

       Kotey was a citizen of the U.K., but the British government withdrew his citizenship. He belonged to a four-member Islamic State cell nicknamed “The Beatles” because of their British accents.

       The cell allegedly took part in graphic Islamic State videos posted online showing beheadings of foreign hostages.

       A 24-page indictment includes a lengthy list of acts of torture that Kotey is accused of inflicting on hostages, including electric shocks with a taser, forcing hostages to fight each other and beatings with sticks and waterboarding.

       Our Morning Update and Evening Update newsletters are written by Globe editors, giving you a concise summary of the day’s most important headlines. Sign up today.

       Story continues below advertisement