AN INDIAN/AMERICAN MUSLIM pleaded guilty to conspire to have a federal judge killed and for providing and concealing material support or resources to terrorists.
Yahya Farooq Mohammad, 39, awaits sentencing but could receive up to 27 years behind bars followed by deportation from the U.S., according to a press release from the Department of Justice.
“The defendant conspired to provide and did provide material support to Anwar Al-Awlaki in response to his calls to support violent jihad,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Dana J. Boente. “The National Security Division’s highest priority is counterterrorism and we will continue to pursue justice against those who seek to provide material support to terrorists.”
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| Yahya Farooq Mohammad |
“This defendant conspired to attack our service members abroad as well as a judge in Toledo,”said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja for the Northern District of Ohio.
Mohammad is an Indian citizen who was an engineering student at Ohio State University between 2002 and 2004. He married a U.S. citizen in 2008.
He and three other defendants – his brother, Ibrahim Mohammad, Asif Ahmed Salim, and Sultane Room Salim – were indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2015. The case against the remaining three defendants is pending. They have pleaded not guilty.
He and three other defendants – his brother, Ibrahim Mohammad, Asif Ahmed Salim, and Sultane Room Salim – were indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2015. The case against the remaining three defendants is pending. They have pleaded not guilty.
Mohammad admitted to conspiring with his co-defendants to travel to Yemen to provide thousands of dollars, equipment, and other assistance to Anwar Al-Awlaki, in an effort to support violent jihad against U.S. military personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the world. Al-Awlaki was later designated as a global terrorist in 2010 and identified as a “key leader” of al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula, according to court documents.
On July 22, 2009, Mohammad travelled with two associates to Yemen to meet Awlaki and deliver the $22,000 that they had raised. Although they were unable to meet Awlaki in person, Mohammad and his associates did ensure that Awlaki received the money through a courier.
In addition to pleading guilty to conspiring to provide and conceal material support to terrorists, Mohammad also admitted to soliciting an undercover FBI employee, posing as a “hitman,” to kidnap and murder U.S. District Judge Jack Zouhary.
In or about April 2016 – while the terrorism case was pending and assigned to Judge Zouhary – Mohammad told another inmate in the Lucas County Corrections Center in Toledo, Ohio that he wanted Zouhary kidnapped and murdered and that he was willing to pay $15,000 to have this carried out.
The inmate provided Mohammad with the contact information for the undercover agent and stated that the supposed killer would need a $1,000 down payment before the murder could occur. The inmate also provided Mohammad with an agreed upon code to use when discussing the planned murder over the jail telephone.
In or about April 2016 – while the terrorism case was pending and assigned to Judge Zouhary – Mohammad told another inmate in the Lucas County Corrections Center in Toledo, Ohio that he wanted Zouhary kidnapped and murdered and that he was willing to pay $15,000 to have this carried out.
The inmate provided Mohammad with the contact information for the undercover agent and stated that the supposed killer would need a $1,000 down payment before the murder could occur. The inmate also provided Mohammad with an agreed upon code to use when discussing the planned murder over the jail telephone.
On or about April 26, 2016, Mohammad called the FBI undercover agent from the Lucas County Corrections Center. Using the agreed-upon code, Mohammad told the agent he wanted to have Judge Zouhary killed. Mohammad agreed to provide the $1,000 down payment. When asked when he wanted the murder committed, Mohammad stated, “The sooner would be good, you know.”
Over the days that followed, Mohammad arranged to have a relative provide the $1,000 in cash to the uncover agent. On May 5, 2016, that family member met with the agent posing as the hitman and provided the agent with $1,000 in cash. Mohammad later informed the inmate that the rest of the money for the murder was coming, according to court documents.
Over the days that followed, Mohammad arranged to have a relative provide the $1,000 in cash to the uncover agent. On May 5, 2016, that family member met with the agent posing as the hitman and provided the agent with $1,000 in cash. Mohammad later informed the inmate that the rest of the money for the murder was coming, according to court documents.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, Mohammad is expected to be sentenced to 27 ½ years in federal prison. Mohammad will be deported from the U.S. upon completion of his sentence, under the terms of his plea agreement.
“Conspiring to have a judge killed is not the way to avoid being prosecuted – now Mohammad will be held accountable for additional serious federal charges,” said Special Agent in Charge Setephen D. Anthony.
“Conspiring to have a judge killed is not the way to avoid being prosecuted – now Mohammad will be held accountable for additional serious federal charges,” said Special Agent in Charge Setephen D. Anthony.
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