Terror Trends Bulletin

This is disheartening, not just because one criminal and one likely Hezbollah member will be out of prison in 12 and 18 months respectively, but because the US Justice Department is touting this in a press release as a victory against terrorism.

Let’s summarize what has happened here.

Michael Katz, 58, of Plainsboro, NJ, and Alaa Allia Ahmed Mohamed 44, of Brooklyn, NY participated in the purchase and transportation of purportedly stolen goods on numerous occasions. These goods were to support the Jihadist terrorist group, Hezbollah. This case was related to another case against four people, including Hassan Hodroj and Dib Hani Harb, who were charged with attempting to provide material support to Hizballah in the form of approximately 1,200 Colt M4 Carbines (machine guns).

Katz and Mohammed were sentenced to 12 months and 18 months respectively for their role in this activity. We suppose that this may have been part of some plea deal and perhaps these two will testify against the other defendants in these cases, but nevertheless, as far as we’re concerned, Hezbollah is an enemy of the United States (see our posts on Hezbollah in the Categories section on the left for more details) and aiding and abetting Hezbollah should be worth more than 12 and 18 months in prison.

We don’t know what the story is on this character Michael Katz, but it’s pretty clear what Alaa Allia Ahmed Mohamed is. Does DOJ think that this guy will emerge from federal prison in 18 months reformed and no longer a believer in Hezbollah’s Jihadist doctrine?

Again, why aren’t these people being brought up on more serious charges? At least, maybe we need new laws to increase sentences for these crimes when they involve terrorist groups. At best, someone at Justice needs to show a pair and think hard about trying people for treason again…

Two Sentenced for Transporting Stolen Goods to Support Hizballah

PHILADELPHIA—Michael Katz, 58, of Plainsboro, NJ, and Alaa Allia Ahmed Mohamed, a/k/a “Alaa Ahmed Mohamed Abouelnagaa,” 44, of Brooklyn, NY, were sentenced today for conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods and trafficking in counterfeit goods, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Katz was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison; Mohamed was sentenced to 18 months in prison. The charges against the two were filed in conjunction with a case against four people, including Hassan Hodroj and Dib Hani Harb, who were charged with attempting to provide material support to Hizballah in the form of approximately 1,200 Colt M4 Carbines (machine guns).

In late 2007, Katz and Mohamed participated in the purchase and transportation of purportedly stolen goods on numerous occasions. These stolen goods included cellular telephones, laptop computers, Sony Play Station 2 systems, and automobiles, which the conspirators caused to be transported to destinations outside Pennsylvania, including overseas.

In addition to the prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Stewart Dalzell ordered Katz to pay a fine in the amount of $1,000 and ordered Mohamed to pay a fine in the amount of $250.

The charges against Katz, Mohamed, and four conspirators, were filed in November 2010. Katz pleaded guilty March 4, 2010. Mohamed pleaded guilty April 9, 2010.