The feds don't really like people who send money to terrorist organizations, be they Cobra or Al Qaeda.
Khalid Ouazzani, 32, pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to sending $23,000 to the latter terrorist organization as well as bank fraud and money laundering between August 2007 to February 2010.
Ouazzani waived his right to a grand jury. The charges against him had been sealed since February 3.
Ouazzani is a naturalized U.S. citizen and a native of Morocco. He swore allegiance to Al Qaeda in June 2008.
Before his swearing of allegiance, Ouazzani was just a donor. He sold his business, Truman Used Auto Parts (8009 East Truman Road), for $6,500 and donated the money to Al Qaeda in August 2007. An unnamed co-conspirator made the initial payment for Ouazzani, who later repaid them in November 2007 via wire transfer to the co-conspirator's bank account in the United Arab Emirates.
In June or July 2008, Ouazzani sold an apartment in the United Arab
Emirates for $17,000 and donated the money to Al Qaeda.
In April 2007, Ouazzani took out a $175,000 loan from Union Bank. He
claimed it was for his auto parts business, but he and the unnamed
co-conspirator used the the money to buy an apartment in the United Arab
Emirates.
Ouazzani faces up to 65 years in federal prison without parole along
with a fine of up to $1 million. His sentencing hearing has yet to be
scheduled.
like
dislike
