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Two Held On Terror Charges in Ohio
Posted: August 10, 2006
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UPDATE – August 16, 2006
Prosecutors dropped all felony terror charges against Ali Houssaiky and Osama Sabhi Abulhassan on August 15, 2006. Both men left prison after paying a reduced bond on remaining misdemeanor counts of falsification. The prosecutor’s office said charges might be refiled if more evidence surfaces. Early this year, federal officials sent bulletins warning police departments nationwide to be alert for bulk purchase of prepaid TracFones, which could be used to finance terrorism.
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Two men have been charged in Ohio with money laundering in support of terrorism after authorities found cellular phones, cash, airplane passenger lists and information on airport security checkpoints in their vehicle.
Osama Sabhi Abulhassan, 20, and Ali Houssaiky, 20, both of Dearborn, Michigan, were charged on August 9, 2006, a day after they were pulled over in Marietta for switching lanes without giving the proper turn signal, according to prosecutors.
Investigators searched the vehicle and found the flight documents along with $11,000 cash and 12 cellular phones, according to the Washington County Sheriff.
Abulhassan and Houssaiky initially were charged with obstructing justice for lying to police about why they bought the phones, prosecutors said. Authorities said the pair later admitting buying the phones for someone in Dearborn, who may be the focus of an FBI investigation.
Authorities also allege that the two men were planning to send the phones overseas, but have not indicated in what way the phones, cash or flight information relate to terrorism.
Federal law enforcement officials have raised concerns about people purchasing large numbers of pre-paid cellular phones, which have been used by terrorists because they are difficult to trace. These types of phones have also been used as detonation mechanisms for improvised explosive devices.
Both men are being held at the Washington County jail on $200,000 bond.
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