Verdicts Returned in Somali Sex Trafficking Case
A federal jury in Nashville returned verdicts today after five days of deliberations, following a three-week trial involving nine defendants charged with the sex trafficking of juveniles and conspiring to sex traffic juveniles, announced Jerry E. Martin, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.
This case was tried before United States District Judge William Haynes. Proof began on April 9, 2012 and concluded with closing arguments on April 27, 2012. The Jury began deliberations on April 30, 2012.
The indictment alleged that the defendants were involved in or were associated with the Somali Outlaws and the Somali Mafia Gangs and that between 2000 and 2010, members and associates of the gangs transported Somali females and an African American female from the Minneapolis, Minnesota area to Nashville, Tennessee for the purpose of having the females engage in sex acts for money and other items of value.
Ahmad Abdulnasir Ahmad a/k/a Fabulous, 25, a native of Somalia and a naturalized United States Citizen residing in the Minnesota Twin Cities area, was charged in counts one and two, which charge conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor. Ahmad was found not guilty of both counts.
Musse Ahmed Ali a/k/a Fat Boy, 25, a native of Somalia and a lawful permanent resident of the United States, residing in Nashville, was charged in counts one and two, which charge conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor. Ali was found not guilty of both counts.
Faduma Mohamed Farah a/k/a Barnie, 27, a native of Ethiopia and a lawful permanent resident of the United States, residing in Nashville, was charged in counts one and two of the indictment with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor. Farah was found not guilty of both counts. Farah has a remaining charge of providing false statements to immigration officials in relation to her application for permanent residency. This charge carries a maximum penalty of up to five years imprisonment.
Idris Ibrahim Fahra a/k/a Chi Town, 24, a native of Ethiopia and a lawful permanent resident of the United States, residing in the Minnesota Twin Cities area, was charged in counts one, two, twelve and thirteen of the indictment. Counts one and two of the indictment charged sex trafficking of a minor. Count twelve charged the sex trafficking of Jane Doe Two. Count thirteen charges the attempt to sex traffic Jane Doe Two. Fahra was found guilty of count one and count twelve and not guilty of counts two and thirteen. Proof at trial established that Fahra rented an apartment in St. Paul Minnesota in which Jane Doe Two and others were taken for the purpose of sex trafficking. At that time, Fahra was 19 years of age and Jane Doe Two was in the 7th Grade. At this apartment, persons would arrive and pay money to have sex with Jane Doe Two and others. Fahra also received the benefit of being able to engage in sex with Jane Doe Two for free. Count One provides for a penalty of up to life imprisonment. Count twelve provides for a penalty of ten years to life imprisonment.
Fatah Haji Hashi, a/k/a Jerry, 24, a native of Somalia and residing in the Minnesota Twin Cities area, was charged in counts one, two, twelve and thirteen. Hashi was found not guilty as to all counts.
Hashi is currently under an order of removal from the United States based upon the commission of an aggravated felony (robbery) which occurred in Hennepin, County, Minnesota on November 7, 2007.
Dahir Nor Ibrahim a/k/a Dahir Lucky, 41, a native of Somalia and and a naturalized United States Citizen, residing in Nashville, was charged in counts one and two of the indictment. Ibrahim was found not guilty as to all counts.
Ibrahim has a remaining charge of providing false statements to immigration officials in relation to his application for citizenship. This charge carries a penalty of up to five years imprisonment.
Andrew Kayachith a/k/a AK, 22, a naturally born U.S. Citizen and resident of the Minnesota, Twin cities area, was charged in counts one, two, twelve and thirteen of the indictment. Kayachith was found guilty as to count one and not guilty as to the remainding counts. Count one of the indictment charges sex trafficking of a minor. Proof at trial established that Kayachith transported Jane Doe Two in his vehicle for the purpose of sex trafficking, which included the exchange of liquor and marijuana for sex with Jane Doe Two. Count one provides for a penalty of up to life imprisonment.
Kayachith is also charged in count 18 of the indictment, which charges conspiracy to commit access device fraud (credit card fraud).
Yassin Abdirahman Yusuf a/k/a Junior, 22, a native of Somalia and a derivative citizen of the United States, residing in the Minnesota Twin Cities area was charged in counts one, two, twelve and thirteen of the indictment. Yusuf was found guilty as to count one. Count one of the indictment charged sex trafficking of a minor. Proof at trial established that Yusuf was involved in the sex trafficking of Jane Doe Two in May 2007 as well as April 2009. Yusuf traveled with Jane Doe Two to Nashville, Tenn. in April 2009 for the purpose of engaging in sex trafficking of Jane Doe Two. Count one provides for a penalty of up to life imprisonment.
Mohamed Ahmed Amalle a/k/a DK, 24, a native of Somalia and legally in the United States, residing in the Minnesota Twin Cities area was charged in counts one, two, twelve and thirteen of the indictment. Yusuf was found not guilty as to all counts.
This case was investigated by the St. Paul, Minnesota Police Department, the Gerald Vick Human Trafficking Task Force, Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Secret Service. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Van Vincent and Blanche Cook.
As to the defendants facing additional pending charges, the public is reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
