Category: Security

Source: US FBI

RALEIGH, N.C. – A Wilmington man and a Bolivia man were arrested Tuesday on separate charges of child sex trafficking and producing child sexual abuse material. A Louisburg man, William Justin Lewis, was arrested today on child sexual abuse material charges.

John Matthew Miller, 35, is charged with sex trafficking of a minor; enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual conduct; and producing, distributing, receiving, and possessing child sexual abuse material. Miller was previously convicted of sexual battery and was a registered sex offender at the time of the offense. Miller faces at least 25 years and up to life in prison if convicted on all counts.

Jesse Lonzo Teal, 72, also known as “Lonnie” and “Mark,” is charged with sex trafficking of a minor, enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual conduct, producing child sexual abuse material, and using the internet to promote an illegal prostitution business enterprise. He faces at least ten years and up to life imprisonment if convicted on all counts.

William Justin Lewis, 54, is charged with distributing child sexual abuse material and possessing child sexual abuse material. He faces at least five years’ imprisonment and up to twenty years’ imprisonment on each distribution count and up to twenty years’ imprisonment on the possession count.

“These important cases reflect the unwavering commitment of our office and our justice system to protect the most vulnerable members of our community—our children. Wewill continue to work closely with the FBI and our other law enforcement partners to ensure that those who commit such heinous acts are held accountable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar. “There is no place in our community for those who prey on children, and we will do everything we can to not only seek justice for the victims, but to prevent additional child exploitation crimes.”

“Producing and exchanging child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is a sickening reality in our world and it’s not just happening on the dark web. Pedophiles use the same platforms your family and friends use. No matter where this crime is occurring the FBI will find you. The Violent Crimes Against Children (VCAC) program is uniquely positioned to work complex global and multijurisdictional crimes against children with he capacity to counter threats of abuse and exploitation of children,” said Robert M. DeWitt, the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.

Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and Robert M. DeWitt, FBI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge, made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, Wilmington Police Department, Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation are investigating the cases and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charity L. Wilson and Erin C. Blondel are prosecuting the cases.

Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case Nos.7:25-CR-46-D-RN, 7:25-CR-47-UA-RJ, and 5:25-CR-94-D-KS.

An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

###

Source: US FBI

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – A federal jury convicted a Raleigh man Tuesday for possession of child sexual abuse material.  Joseph Matthew Dobbs, 45, now faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison when sentenced in July.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Dobbs was working from home as an IT support engineer for a multinational technology company when, in early November 2022, a supervisor remotely observed Dobbs watching content on his work-issued laptop that appeared to be child sexual abuse material. The company terminated Dobbs’s employment and forwarded screenshots taken by the supervisor to law enforcement for investigation.  The Raleigh Police Department executed a search at Dobbs’s apartment and seized the company laptop.  A review of the laptop and the company’s back-up servers revealed that Dobbs’s laptop contained over 300 image files of child sexual abuse material, including the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers and depictions of bondage.  On a special verdict form, the jury found Dobbs guilty as charged and found that the images included visual depictions of prepubescent minors.

In 2006, Dobbs was also convicted of having carnal knowledge of a child, using a computer to solicit a minor (three counts), possession of child sexual abuse material (ten counts), and manufacturing sexually explicit material in Virginia.  He spent seven years in prison and was still on probation for those offenses at the time of this incident.

Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle accepted the verdict. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Raleigh Police Department investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lori Warlick and Logan Liles prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.5:24-CR-182.

###

Source: US FBI

NEW BERN, N.C. – A Brooklyn, NY woman was sentenced Wednesday to 4 years in prison for aiding and abetting in the armed robbery of a Family Dollar in Swan Quarter. On November 13, 2024, Victoria Michelle Cyren Clarke, 32, pled guilty to interference with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, on Sunday, June 4, 2023, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Hyde County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) received a call about an armed robbery at the Family Dollar, located at 13065 US Highway 264 in Swan Quarter. Two individuals entered the store brandishing firearms while demanding money. After retrieving over $2000 in cash from the store, the two individuals left and got into a car being driven by Clarke. A deputy with HCSO attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle after it was observed leaving the area at a high rate of speed. A high-speed chase ensued for approximately 18 miles with speeds in excess of 100 mph before the vehicle was finally stopped. In addition to the two armed robbers and Clarke, two children were unrestrained in the vehicle. Subsequent investigation revealed that Clarke bought both firearms used in the robbery and rented the get-away car.

“The Hyde County Sheriff’s Office is committed to ensuring the safety of our residents and businesses,” said Sheriff Guire Cahoon. “The armed robbery at the Family Dollar in Swan Quarter was a serious crime that put innocent lives at risk, and we are grateful for the quick response of our deputies which resulted in the apprehension of the individuals involved, and we are grateful for the assistance of the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their work on the case. Violent crime has no place in our community, and we will continue working tirelessly to protect the people of Hyde County.”

Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. Hyde County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie A. Childress  prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-CR-12-FL-RJ-3.

###

Source: US FBI

CHARLOTTE, N.C. –Daniel Joseph Broadway, 53, of Charlotte, appeared in federal court today and pleaded guilty to possessing AI-generated images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and child sexual abuse material (CSAM), announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today’s announcement.

According to plea documents and today’s court hearing, on December 12, 2023, CMPD officers executed a search warrant at Broadway’s Charlotte residence. From the residence, officers seized nine electronic devices that were later forensically analyzed and found to contain images and videos depicting child sexual abuse material. Some of the images and videos in Broadway’s possession had been AI-generated and some had not. A forensic analysis of the devices revealed that Broadway possessed 8,661 images and two videos of non-AI CSAM. Broadway also possessed 20,292 images and videos of AI-generated CSAM. Many of the non-AI and AI-generated CSAM depicted prepubescent minors that were nude or partially clothed, lasciviously displaying their genitals or engaging in sexual intercourse with adults.

Broadway pleaded guilty to possession and access with intent to view child pornography involving prepubescent minors and possession of obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children, each of which carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. Broadway was remanded into custody following his guilty plea. A sentencing date has not been set.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked FBI and CMPD for their investigation which led to the guilty plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Cervantes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

Source: US FBI

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Three members of the La Mara Salvatrucha gang (known as MS-13) were sentenced in federal court today for engaging in violent criminal conduct, including murder, in support of the criminal organization, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Cardell T. Morant, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in North Carolina and South Carolina, Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today’s announcement.

Christian Alejandro Garcia Santa Cruz, a/k/a “Crimen,” 32, of El Salvador, and Aderly Jose Veliz-Ronquillo, a/k/a “Chanchin,” 30, of Guatemala, were each sentenced to 35 years in prison for using a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death for the 2022 murder of W.G.M. in front of a Charlotte nightclub. Luis Fernando Guardardo Moreno, a/k/a “Fantasma” and “Scrappy,” 24, of El Salvador, was sentenced to 20 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for racketeering (RICO) conspiracy.

Two additional MS-13 members who held leadership roles within the gang, Fredy Mauricio Buruca, a/k/a “Piranha,” “Machete,” and “Insoportable,” 27, and Santos Guillermo Ramirez Mancia, a/k/a “Azazel,” “Timido,” and “Johnny,” 33, both of El Salvador, have pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing. Buruca has also pleaded guilty to kidnapping a minor. A sixth MS-13 member charged in this case, Juan Francisco Sanchez Estrada, a/k/a “Nene” and “Turbo,” 31, of El Salvador, has pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and will be sentenced at a later date in the Middle District of North Carolina, following a consolidation of federal cases against him in each district.

“MS-13 is one of the most violent and dangerous criminal gangs operating in the United States.  MS-13 members use murder, robbery, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and extortion to support this criminal enterprise and tighten its grip on our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. “But we are fighting back. This case has dismantled the local MS-13 clique, and we’re not done. Our goal is not just to prosecute violent gangs, but to eliminate them completely.”

“Today’s prison sentences should make it clear to MS-13 members and their associates, violence and senseless murder will not be tolerated in North Carolina. The FBI and our partners will use every tool available to disrupt and dismantle violent criminal terrorist organizations and bring offenders to justice,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge DeWitt.

According to filed court documents and court proceedings, the defendants were leaders and members of the MS-13 sub-unit, or clique, known as the Hollywood Locos Salvatrucha Clique (the HLS clique), which operated in and around the Western District of North Carolina and other areas in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and elsewhere. From at least December 2018 and continuing through November 2022, as members of the HLS clique, the defendants engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity that consisted of multiple acts and threats involving murder, kidnapping, extortion, robbery, and drug trafficking.

The investigation into the gang’s criminal activity revealed that these criminal acts were sanctioned by MS-13 leadership and were committed to promote a climate a fear and intimidation within the gang; to maintain the gang’s control and to expand its territory; to enforce discipline within the gang and punish any acts of disrespect; to intimidate witnesses and discourage cooperation with law enforcement; and to retaliate against rivals, or “chavalas.”

Participation in criminal activity was also intended to increase respect and ranking of members within the gang and to open the door to promotion to a leadership position. Accordingly, Santa Cruz and Veliz-Ronquillo committed murder in aid of racketeering for the purpose of maintaining and increasing their position in the MS-13 enterprise.

According to court documents, on November 6, 2022, Santa Cruz, Mancia, and Veliz-Ronquillo were at a nightclub in Charlotte. Over the course of the evening, Santa Cruz, Mancia, and Veliz-Ronquillo got into an argument with several men at the parking lot of the nightclub. During the argument, Mancia identified himself as MS-13 to the other men. At some point, W.G.M. and Mancia shoved each other. Ronquillo then shot W.G.M. once and Santa-Cruz shot the victim three times, causing the victim to sustain fatal gunshot wounds. At today’s sentencing hearing, the government contended that through their involvement in W.G.M.’s murder, Santa Cruz and Veliz-Ronquillo demonstrated their full commitment to further the goals of MS-13 and to advance their reputation within the gang.

The defendants will remain in federal custody until they are transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In making today’s announcement U.S. Attorney Ferguson commended the FBI, HSI, and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department for their investigation of the case, and thanked the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, the Kannapolis Police Department, the Monroe Police Department, the Prince William County (Virginia) Sheriff’s Office, and the Annapolis (Maryland) Police Department for their invaluable assistance.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erik Lindahl and David Kelly of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte are prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf.

Source: US FBI

Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and Christopher G. Raia, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of a Complaint charging LONNIE YOUMANS with sexual exploitation of a child, receipt and distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. YOUMANS was arrested yesterday in Newburgh, New York, presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court, and ordered detained.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said: “As alleged, Lonnie Youmans used Discord as a hunting ground to find, manipulate, and sextort our most vulnerable in a horrific scheme to obtain child pornography. Every New Yorker and every American loathes the exploitation of children.  Together with our partners, we will deploy every resource to relentlessly pursue and bring to justice those who prey on our children.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said: “Lonnie Youmans allegedly devised a twisted scheme to obtain sexually explicit images of young children and extorted a minor to produce pornographic content with threats of blackmail. This alleged cyclical abuse groomed victims into submission, perpetuating increased victimization without reprieve. May this arrest highlight the FBI’s stout commitment to apprehending any individual who repeatedly sexually exploits children for depraved gratification.”

As alleged in the Complaint:^[1]

From as early as January 2024, YOUMANS used an online messaging application called Discord to prey on victims as young as 12 years old. YOUMANS, who went by the Discord names “Zenheatsu” and “Leyley,” groomed vulnerable minors, got them to send him sexually explicit photos, and then threatened to leak those photos to coerce his victims into sending more images and recruiting additional victims. Among those YOUMANS targeted was a 15-year-old minor (“Victim-1”) from whom YOUMANS obtained dozens of sexually explicit photos, which YOUMANS distributed to others, including other minors. YOUMANS also manipulated Victim-1 into producing sexually explicit images for him as purported compensation for Victim-1 causing another 13-year-old minor to stop talking to YOUMANS. YOUMANS knew what he was doing was illegal, and once complained to another Discord user that Victim-1 “threatened me with fbi.”

On or about April 29, 2025, federal agents searched YOUMANS’ residence and found hundreds of unique files of child pornography on his phone, including multiple images of adults performing oral sex on toddlers and prepubescent children being penetrated by various objects. YOUMANS admitted that he knew the pornographic images he possessed were illegal.

A photo depicting YOUMANS is below:

If you are a victim of YOUMANS or have any information concerning YOUMANS, please call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or you can report a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

*                *                *

YOUMANS, 22, of Newburgh, New York, is charged with sexual exploitation of a child, which carries a 15-year mandatory minimum and a 30-year maximum sentence; receipt and distribution of child pornography, which carries a five-year mandatory minimum and 20-year maximum sentence, and possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, the Pennsylvania State Police, Town of Wallkill Police Department, and the Town of Newburgh Police Department.

This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Reyhan Watson is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: US FBI

Earlier today in federal court in Central Islip, Jason Liriano, the founder and leader of the Route Boys gang, was sentenced by United States District Judge Gary R. Brown to 22 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and use of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking activity.  Liriano pleaded guilty to the charges in September 2023.  Liriano is the last of 10 defendants affiliated with the Route Boys gang to be sentenced in connection with charges in a third superseding indictment involving drug distribution, use of firearms, pharmacy burglaries, and ATM thefts.  The Route Boys burglarized pharmacies and convenience stores in Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, Queens, Westchester, and Rockland Counties, as well as in New Jersey and Connecticut from 2020 through June 2022, when they were arrested.

John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentences.

“For two years the Route Boys, led by Liriano, engaged in a brazen crime spree targeting local businesses throughout the Tri-State area, stealing money and pharmaceuticals to fuel their illegal drug business, which they protected with threats of violence and illegal firearms,” stated United States Attorney Durham. “These significant jail sentences make our communities safer and are the result of my Office’s collaboration with our law enforcement partners, who are dedicated to the shared mission of protecting local businesses from criminals and holding accountable those who seek to flood our communities with dangerous drugs.”

Mr. Durham thanked the New York City Police Department, Nassau County Police Department, Suffolk County Police Department, Westchester Safe Streets Task Force, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Kings County District Attorney’s Office, Queens County District Attorney’s Office, Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance with the investigation.

“Jason Liriano, the leader of the Route Boys gang, orchestrated a three-year burglary spree targeting various businesses across the city to steal cash and controlled substances for illicit resale,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.  “Liriano’s leadership tormented these local establishments and relied on firearms to further intimidate the gang’s victims into compliance.  With the assistance from our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, the FBI maintains its steadfast resolve to dismantle any unlawful system that finances the gang presence in our communities.”

As set forth in the third superseding indictment, the government’s sentencing memorandum, and other court filings, the Route Boys began committing burglaries in late 2020, breaking into convenience stores, check-cashing businesses, laundromats, and restaurants, stealing primarily cash and tobacco products.  In addition, the gang stole free-standing ATMs, forcing them open and stealing the cash from inside the machines, netting tens of thousands of dollars.  They then began targeting small “mom-and-pop” pharmacies throughout the Tri-State area by smashing through windows and stealing controlled substances such as oxycodone and promethazine-codeine cough syrup. Liriano possessed a 9mm handgun in furtherance of the drug trafficking operation.  They sold the stolen pharmaceuticals on social media immediately after a night of burglaries.  The government’s conservative estimate is that the Route Boys committed at least 100 burglaries in the Tri-State area between approximately November 2020 and the summer of 2022.  The Route Boys’ crime spree continued after their arrests and incarceration.  Some members engaged in witness tampering and possessed illegal cell phones and controlled substances like oxycodone and marijuana while incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn and on Rikers Island, and many brazenly posted on social media using the contraband phones (including a photo posted by Liriano declaring “F**k the Feds”).  On numerous occasions, including after he pleaded guilty in federal court, Liriano possessed homemade weapons and drugs inside the MDC, and stabbed a fellow inmate with a long shank when the inmate was working as an orderly delivering his breakfast.

Previously, nine other Route Boys members were convicted and sentenced to federal prison, including: Carlos Acevedo to 126 months in prison; Ramon Collado to 132 months in prison; Naresh Deonarrain to 180 months in prison; Devin Lopez-Dominguez to 60 months in prison; Charlie Maisonet to 96 months in prison; Cavier Nedrick to 120 months in prison; Eric Nunez to 144 months in prison; Alberto Santiago to 180 months in prison; and Jeffrey Vargas to 156 months in prison.

The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Samantha Alessi and Andrew P. Wenzel are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Dejah Turla.

The Defendant:

JASON LIRIANO (also known as “jay_bigfella”)
Age:  25
Brooklyn, New York

Defendants Previously Sentenced:

CARLOS ACEVEDO (also known as “S.L.” and “cartier_am”)
Age:  26
Brooklyn, New York

RAMON COLLADO (also known as “Greedy,” “greedy.billzz” and “greedyyt2gg”)
Age:  26
Brooklyn, New York

NARESH DEONARRAIN (also known as “Kans” and “nocheck _ kans”)
Age:  27
Brooklyn, New York

DEVIN LOPEZ-DOMINGUEZ
Age:  22
Brooklyn, New York

CHARLIE MAISONET (also known as “Charlie_._rb”)
Age:  21
Brooklyn, New York

CAVIER NEDRICK (also known as “Chief,” “big.chiefs,” and “Caviar Nedrick”)
Age:  26
Hauppauge, New York

ERIC NUNEZ (also known as “Tok” and “therealtok”)
Age:  26
Brooklyn, New York

ALBERTO SANTIAGO (also known as “Kom” and “dot.kom”)
Age:  27
Queens, New York

JEFFREY VARGAS (also known as “Chito” and “chito_1838)
Age:  23
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-451 (S-3) (GRB)

Source: US FBI

Defendant Recorded Victim Being Stabbed More than 100 Times and Sent the Video to Other Gang Members as a Warning Not to Cooperate with Law Enforcement

Source: US FBI

NEW YORK, NY— The New York FBI/NYPD Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force executed an arrest warrant for Manuel Davila, 28, of Brooklyn on April 29, 2025, following an investigation into the sexual exploitation of multiple children.

Upon execution of a judicially authorized search warrant, agents reviewed iCloud records associated with Davila and found communication via a mobile conversation application with minor victims. In one instance, in an 18-minute video recorded on or about January 17, 2024, Davila, attempted to solicit sexually explicit material from a minor victim he believed to be 10 years of age.

FBI New York interviewed an additional minor victim who Davila requested sexually explicit images of in previous chats. Davila instructed the minor victim to delete the images and messages after they were sent.

If you are a victim of Manuel Davila, or have any information concerning Manuel Davila, please call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or you can report a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. The FBI has teams dedicated to providing victims with necessary resources and assistance.

“Soliciting sexually explicit material from young children is a heinous crime. Protecting vulnerable members of our communities – our children – is one of the most critical aspects of our work,” said Christopher Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of FBI New York. “The FBI is determined to protect children from depraved individuals attempting to prey on them.”

The FBI is legally mandated to identify victims of federal crimes it investigates. Identified victims may be eligible for certain services and rights under federal and/or state law.

Note: A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: US FBI

Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Christopher G. Raia, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that HAJI NAJIBULLAH, a/k/a “Najibullah Naim,” a/k/a “Abu Tayeb,” a/k/a “Atiqullah,” a/k/a “Nesar Ahmad Mohammad,” pled guilty to hostage taking and providing material support for acts of terrorism resulting in death in connection with NAJIBULLAH’s role in the hostage taking of an American journalist and two Afghan nationals in Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2008 and 2009, and his leadership of Taliban fighters who carried out attacks on U.S. servicemembers in Afghanistan between 2007 and 2009, resulting in the deaths of American soldiers.  NAJIBULLAH pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said: “Haji Najibullah was a Taliban commander who committed acts of terrorism against U.S. servicemembers and civilians in Afghanistan. His vicious acts of terrorism included taking hostage multiple civilians and providing material support for attacks that resulted in the deaths of brave Americans.  Najibullah committed his crimes in Afghanistan over 15 years ago, and now faces justice in an American courtroom.  Today’s guilty plea serves as an emphatic reminder that this Office, and our law enforcement partners, will aggressively pursue those who harm Americans through acts of terror, no matter where in the world they may be, and no matter how long it may take to achieve justice for their victims.  I thank the career prosecutors of this Office, and our dedicated partners, for their work in holding Najibullah accountable for his heinous crimes.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said: “For years, the FBI New York JTTF and our law enforcement partners tirelessly sought justice for the hostage taking of civilians, and also for the deaths of United States service members at the hands of Taliban fighters under Najibullah’s command.  These terrorist attacks demonstrated utter disregard for humanity, and Najibullah finally admitted to his role in these premature deaths of our citizens.  Today’s plea emphasizes the FBI New York JTTF’s unwavering resolve to disrupting all acts of terrorism and ensuring any individual who targets our country will be held accountable.”

As alleged in the charging instruments, court filings, and statements in the public record:

Between approximately 1996 and 2001, the Taliban controlled Afghanistan and harbored and supported terrorists, including terrorists involved in perpetrating the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the U.S.  After losing power in approximately October 2001 as a result of the U.S. and NATO-led invasion of Afghanistan, the Taliban engaged in a deadly insurgency campaign to regain control of the country.  Beginning in the early 2000s, as part of that campaign of violence, the Taliban conducted numerous suicide bombings, targeted killings, assassinations, improvised explosive device (“IED”) attacks, paramilitary ambushes, and hostage takings against the then-government of Afghanistan, U.S. military forces and their NATO and Afghan partners, and American civilians in Afghanistan.

Between in or around 2007 and 2009, NAJIBULLAH served as a Taliban commander in Afghanistan’s Wardak Province, which borders Kabul.  During that time, Taliban fighters under NAJIBULLAH’s command carried out deadly attacks against American and NATO troops and their Afghan allies, using, among other things, suicide bombers, automatic weapons, IEDs, and rocket-propelled grenades (“RPGs”) and other anti-tank weapons and explosives, including against U.S. military helicopters. 

For example, on or about June 26, 2008, Taliban fighters under NAJIBULLAH’s command ambushed and attacked a U.S. military convoy in the vicinity of Wardak Province, Afghanistan, with IEDs, RPGs, and automatic weapons, killing three U.S. Army servicemembers: Sergeants First Class Matthew L. Hilton and Joseph A. McKay, and Sergeant Mark Palmateer, and their Afghan interpreter. Several other servicemembers were also injured in the attack.  

In or about November 2007 and September 2008, NAJIBULLAH participated in two videorecorded interviews with a French reporter in Afghanistan.  NAJIBULLAH and fighters under his command discussed how they targeted American and French troops—including a specific attack they conducted against French troops in or around August 2008.  They also identified a particular location where they had used IEDs and anti-tank weaponry to destroy American military vehicles.  During the interview, NAJIBULLAH further demonstrated how to operate a rocket-propelled grenade launcher to shoot troops guarding checkpoints and boasted that fighters under his command were ready to fight the “holy war,” including that they were “ready to be suicide bombers” and “put on a belt and blow themselves up if we ask them.”  In September 2008, in the French reporter’s presence, NAJIBULLAH and fighters under his command attacked and destroyed an Afghan National Police outpost using automatic weapons and rockets.

On or about November 10, 2008, NAJIBULLAH and other Taliban fighters took hostage an American journalist (“U.S. Hostage-1”) and two Afghan nationals who were assisting U.S. Hostage-1 (together with U.S. Hostage-1, the “Hostages”) at gunpoint in Afghanistan.  Shortly thereafter, NAJIBULLAH and his co-conspirators forced the Hostages to hike across the border from Afghanistan to Pakistan, where NAJIBULLAH and his co-conspirators detained the Hostages.  For the next approximately seven months, NAJIBULLAH and his co-conspirators held the Hostages captive in Pakistan.  NAJIBULLAH and his co-conspirators forced the Hostages to make numerous calls and videos seeking help, in an attempt to compel ransom payments and the release of Taliban prisoners by the U.S. Government.

*                *                 *

NAJIBULLAH, 49, pled guilty to providing material support for acts of terrorism resulting in death, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, and to hostage taking, which also carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.  

The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding efforts of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which principally consists of agents from the FBI and detectives from the New York City Police Department.  He also thanked the New York and New Jersey Port Authority Police, the Department of Defense, and the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division for their assistance with this investigation, as well as the Ukrainian authorities and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs for their assistance in the arrest and extradition of the defendant.

This prosecution is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg, Jacob H. Gutwillig, and David J. Robles are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Jennifer Burke of the Counterterrorism Section.