Feds charge 5 from New Mexico compound, where 11 children - were found, with terror, kidnapping Posted: Mar 14th, 2019 - 12:52 pm
offenses
The residents of a makeshift New Mexico compound -- where 11 emaciated children were found during an August raid -- were charged by federal authorities Wednesday with terror, kidnapping and firearms offenses.
Jany Leveille, 36, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, 40, Hurjah Wahhaj, 38, Subhanah Wahhaj, 36 and Lucas Morton, 41, were charged “with federal offenses related to terrorism, kidnapping and firearms violations,” the Department of Justice said in a press release. In the original indictment, Leveille was also charged with "possessing firearms and ammunition as an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States."
The suspects were previously charged on Sept. 11 “with a conspiracy relating to the possession of firearms and ammunition by an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States,” the DOJ said.
“The superseding indictment alleges a conspiracy to stage deadly attacks on American soil,” U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson said in a statement. “These allegations remind us of the dangers of terrorism that continue to confront our nation, and the allegation concerning the death of a young child only underscores the importance of prompt and effective intervention by law enforcement. I commend our law enforcement partners for their ongoing diligence and outstanding work in identifying and disabling imminent threats of targeted violence.”
The five suspects were arrested by authorities after an Aug. 3 raid following a monthslong inquiry into the disappearance of Abdul-ghani Wahhaj, 3. The boy, who had severe medical issues, disappeared from Georgia in December. The occupants of the compound were "most likely heavily armed and considered extremist of the Muslim belief," an official said at the time.
TWO LINKED TO ‘EXTREMIST MUSLIM’ NEW MEXICO COMPOUND WANTED TO ATTACK HOSPITAL, PROSECUTORS SAY
Taos County Sheriff's deputies discovered 11 children at the compound, who were taken into the custody of state child welfare workers. On Aug. 6, a child’s remains were found on the property.
The superseding indictment charged Leveille, Hurjah Wahhaj, Subhanah Wahhaj and Morton with "kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping." They allegedly kidnapped a child under the age of 18 in Georgia and took him to New Mexico "where they concealed and held the child, resulting in the child's death," the press release stated.
LINK/URL: Feds charge 5 from New Mexico compound, where 11 children
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