Abdul Ghani Wahhaj.
The father of a Georgia boy who died on a remote New Mexico compound where the man wasplanning terrorist attacksagainst the U.S. government has been convicted, alongside other involved family members, prosecutors said.
After a three-week trial, a federal jury found Siraj Ibn Wahhaj and his brother-in-law Lucas Morton guilty of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, providing material support to terrorists and conspiracy to murder an officer or employee of the U.S., the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced in apress releaseFriday.
Wahhaj’s sisters, Hujrah Wahhaj and Subhanah Wahhaj, were convicted of conspiracy to commit kidnapping resulting in death and kidnapping resulting in death. Morton was additionally convicted on the same charges.
As part of a plea agreement, a fifth defendant, Jany Leveille, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and being in possession of a firearm while unlawfully in the U.S.
All five adults were arrested on Aug. 3, 2018 after a raid following a months-long investigation into the whereabouts of Siraj’s 3-year-old son, Abdul Ghani Wahhaj,PEOPLEpreviously reported.
The boy’s remains were eventually found at a remote New Mexico compound.
An aerial view of the New Mexico compound.AP Photo/Brian Skoloff)
AP Photo/Brian Skoloff)
The boy’s remains were then discovered in a chamber in the back of a tunnel. The condition of the body was “consistent with a type of ritual burial,” Eighth Judicial District Attorney Donald Gallegos toldPEOPLEin 2018.
Leveille convinced Siraj and the others to establish a community centered on the belief that Abdul Ghani would return as Jesus Christ to pass judgment on institutions the group believed to be corrupt, including the FBI, the military and other government and financial institutions, the release states.
As a result, prosecutors said they established a fortified base and a firing range. Armed with 11 firearms, including an assault rifle, high-capacity magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, the group conducted weapons and tactical training and required some of the children to do so as well.
Siraj Ibn Wahhaj.Roberto E. Rosales/The Albuquerque Journal via AP
Roberto E. Rosales/The Albuquerque Journal via AP
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the group conducted the training with the intent to “face the nation” and kill those who refused to believe as they did. They reportedly spoke of waging jihad — or holy war — and becoming martyrs.
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The defendants claimed that authorities singled them out because of their Muslim faith,Fox Newsreported.
“In addition to this preparation for terror, the senseless kidnapping resulting in the death of a juvenile these criminals conducted is inexcusable and have no place in our society,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda said in the release.
A sentencing date has not been scheduled. Prosecutors said Siraj, Hujrah, Subhanah, and Morton each face up to life in prison while Leveille faces up to 17 years in prison.
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source: people.com
