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Threat Matrix: December 2007
Previous Thread ^

Posted on 12/01/2007 8:47:13 PM PST by nwctwx

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To: All

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=farc

#

http://in.news.yahoo.com/071213/43/6oemd.html

“Colombia calls for unconditional release of hostages”

By IANS
Thursday December 13, 05:17 PM

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Paris, Dec 13 (IANS) Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has turned down the demand of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC) guerrillas to demilitarise two towns in southwest Colombia, and has insisted that the insurgents release all hostages ‘unconditionally and unilaterally’, Spanish news agency EFE reported Thursday.

‘If the FARC wants to deliver the hostages to French President Sarkozy or the Venezuelan authorities, our government would welcome those unilateral and unconditional releases,’ Alvaro Uribe told French daily Le Figaro Wednesday.
Regarding the rebel demand for the demilitarisation of two towns in southwest Colombia, Uribe said his administration ‘could not accept something that could potentially threaten the security of the Colombian people.’

The hostages include former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, a dual French-Colombian citizen, and three US military contractors. The FARC is also holding hundreds of other captives.

Although Uribe refuses to demilitarise the towns of Florida and Pradera, he announced Friday that he had agreed to accept a Catholic Church proposal for the creation of a temporary 150 square km ‘meeting zone’ with the FARC that would be free of security forces.”


641 posted on 12/14/2007 4:12:28 AM PST by Cindy
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To: All

Note: The following text is a quote:

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=77027

YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Bahamas Holiday Crime Advisory
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
Americas - Bahamas
13 Dec 2007

Printer Friendly Email Article
RELATED REPORTS
2 Nov 2007
WARDEN MESSAGE: U.S. EMBASSY NASSAU REOPENED
31 Oct 2007
WARDEN MESSAGE: U.S. EMBASSY NASSAU CLOSED OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 1
31 Oct 2007
WARDEN MESSAGE: BAHAMAS TROPICAL STORM WARNING
17 Oct 2007
THE BAHAMAS 2007 CRIME & SAFETY REPORT
U.S. Embassy Nassau issued the following Warden Message on December 13:

This Warden Message is being issued to remind American citizens residing and traveling in the Bahamas to remain vigilant and constantly aware of their surroundings. As reported in the local media, the crime rate tends to increase this time of year. Please take a moment to review the following security considerations and share them with your family:

Always be vigilant - look for possible threats in your surroundings. While traveling on foot, walk as though with a purpose.

Think through what you would do if your vehicle broke down, you were assaulted, robbed, or followed etc. Mental and psychological preparation plays a crucial role in the practice of good personal security.

Criminals frequently plan their crimes by first conducting surveillance: watching potential victims on the street, at the ATM, or watching their residences. Schedules that are the most predictable leave you the most vulnerable. Vary routes, routines and times to avoid predictability in work and social schedules.

Avoid using ATMs at night, in dark areas or when alone. Avoid traveling with large amounts of cash.

Do not carry too many bags at one time when shopping, particularly if when alone. Criminals will quickly single out easy targets.

If being followed, go to a more populated location or to a police station to summon help. Never lead the person back to your home or confront the person.

At night, park in a well-lit area. Avoid spots where persons can hide. Before getting in your vehicle, walk all the way around it and look inside to ensure there is no one in the vehicle or lying in wait near the vehicle.

If approaching a parked vehicle or a home, have keys in hand and look around the area for suspicious persons or activity.

If confronted by a criminal, it is essential to readily cooperate. Remain calm, do not make any furtive or quick movements that could be misinterpreted by the attacker, and surrender all property as requested.

Keep car doors locked and windows rolled up when driving.

Do not go out alone. Know where you are going.

Avoid clothing that clearly identifies you.

Ensure someone knows where you are going and when you can be expected to return.

Keep house keys separate from car keys.

If consuming alcohol, assign someone as a designated driver who is well known to you, AND agree to follow that person’s directives. DO NOT DRIVE.

Maintain good key control. Do not “hide” keys outside your house.

If a taxi is required, have the establishment arrange for the taxi and ensure it is a real taxi (license plate number beginning with the letters NP-). Note the number on the taxi.

Know where medical units and police stations are located in the event of an emergency.

Visitors to The Bahamas are encouraged to notify the consular section to advise them of their itinerary and contact information.

For further information on security in the Bahamas, please refer to the Consular Information Sheet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_989.html

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor our website, http://nassau.usembassy.gov and the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays) .


642 posted on 12/14/2007 4:14:47 AM PST by Cindy
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To: All

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Fri Dec 14 2007 04:15:58 GMT-0800 (PST).

Worldwide Caution

October 09, 2007


643 posted on 12/14/2007 4:15:40 AM PST by Cindy
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To: All

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP178507

Special Dispatch Series - No. 1785
December 14, 2007 No.1785

“Major Jihadi Cleric and Author of Al-Qaeda’s Shari’a Guide to Jihad: 9/11 Was a Sin; A Shari’a Court Should Be Set Up to Hold Bin Laden and Al-Zawahiri Accountable; There Are Only Two Kinds of People in Al-Qaeda – The Ignorant and Those Who Seek Worldly Gain”


644 posted on 12/14/2007 4:30:23 AM PST by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1939293/posts

“ATTRITION: Terrorists Forced To Recruit Children”
Strategy Page ^ | 2007 Dec 13
Posted on 12/13/2007 11:40:11 PM PST by Wiz


645 posted on 12/14/2007 4:31:24 AM PST by Cindy
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To: All

DANIEL FAULKNER
http://www.danielfaulkner.com

#

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1939345/posts

Courage in Trying Times
Townhall.com ^ | December 14, 2007 | Mike Gallagher
Posted on 12/14/2007 4:42:28 AM PST by Kaslin
Today on my radio show I interviewed one of the most courageous women I’ve ever met.

Maureen Faulkner is, quite simply, a remarkable lady, a symbol of everything that is great about America: strength, goodness, decency and tenacity.

Tragically, she will forever be linked to a monster named Mumia, a cold-blooded cop killer who has inexplicably become popular, even beloved, after he brutally executed a brave young police officer in Philadelphia on a bitterly cold morning in Philadelphia in December of 1981.

The connection between Mumia Abu-Jamal and Maureen Faulkner? Abu-Jamal was the one who killed Maureen’s husband, a popular and accomplished young police officer named Danny.

(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...


646 posted on 12/14/2007 4:48:34 AM PST by Cindy
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placemark


647 posted on 12/14/2007 7:27:53 AM PST by Godzilla (Jesus - the REASON for the SEASON)
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To: Cindy
As advertised on some islamic terrorist forums, Al Sahab which is the media wing of Al Qaeda will soon broadcast an interview with terrorist leader Ayman Al Zawahiri.


648 posted on 12/14/2007 12:22:36 PM PST by jveritas (God bless our brave troops and President Bush)
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To: jveritas

Thanks J. Veritas for the post.
I picked it up already.


649 posted on 12/14/2007 1:49:19 PM PST by Cindy
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To: All

http://threatswatch.org/rapidrecon/2007/12/zawahri-annapolis-the-betrayal/

THREATS WATCH.org: “ZAWAHIRI: ANNAPOLIS, THE BETRAYAL”
(December 14, 2007)

#

www.arb-up.com/files/arb-up-Dec1/JbF39970.jpg
www.arb-up.com/files/arb-up-Dec1/6Rp29972.gif
ekhlaas.org/forum/showthread.php?t=106794
ekhlaas.org/forum


650 posted on 12/14/2007 1:55:34 PM PST by Cindy
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To: All

ON THE INTERNET:

memriiwmp.org/content/en/more_islamist_web_status.htm?param=IStatus

MEMRI.org - ISLAMIST WEBSITES MONITOR PROJECT
Current Status
“* A change in the site’s Status or ISP has occurred since the previous list.”


651 posted on 12/14/2007 1:57:35 PM PST by Cindy
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To: All

Follow-up to post no. 612:

blog:

http://www.TheAviationNation.com/2007/12/13/former-faa-special-agent-on-air-traffic-hacking/

“Former FAA Special Agent on Air Traffic Hacking”
By Annie Jacobsen
(December 13, 2007)


652 posted on 12/14/2007 2:39:25 PM PST by Cindy
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To: All

Thanks to RDTF for the ping to this thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1939229/posts

POST - QUOTE:

Air Canada Passenger Tapes Mid-Flight Freak Out on Trip to Europe
Breitbart ^ | Dec 13, 2007 | not specified
Posted on 12/13/2007 7:20:25 PM PST by RDTF

The YouTube poster says this occurred during a December 6th flight from Toronto to London, England. Repeated calls by Breitbart.tv to Air Canada for additional information have not been returned.

(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.tv ...

#

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1939229/posts?page=27#27

log:

http://www.TheAviationNation.com/2007/12/14/caught-on-tape-muslim-man-goes-beserk-mid-flight/

Friday
14 Dec 2007
“Caught on Tape: Muslim Man Goes Beserk Mid-Flight”
By Annie Jacobsen in category


653 posted on 12/14/2007 2:45:51 PM PST by Cindy
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To: All; Jet Jaguar; backhoe; piasa; Godzilla; nwctwx

blog:

http://www.TheAviationNation.com/2007/12/14/british-link-glasgow-airport-plot-to-al-qaeda-iraq/

“British Link Glasgow Airport Plot to Al Qaeda Iraq”
By Annie Jacobsen
(Decenber 14, 2007)


654 posted on 12/14/2007 2:50:46 PM PST by Cindy
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To: All; backhoe; piasa

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/019151.php
(AP)

December 14, 2007

#

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nat-gen/2007/dec/14/121406692.html

Today: December 14, 2007 at 10:55:5 PST
“Guilty Pleas Seen in Calif. Terror Case”

By GILLIAN FLACCUS
Associated Press Writer

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) -

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Prosecutors assert that James even prepared a press release that the men planned to send out after an attack.

“This incident is the first in a series of incidents to come in a plight to defend and propagate traditional Islam in its purity,” James allegedly wrote. “We are not extremists, radicals or terrorists. We are only servants of Allah.”

Police uncovered the plot in July 2005 while investigating gas station robberies that authorities say were committed to finance the attacks.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “James preached that JIS members should target for violent attack any enemies of Islam or “infidels,” including the U.S. government and any supporters of Israel, according to court documents.

Prosecutors say he also created a document he called the “JIS Protocol,” which advocated the establishment of an Islamic caliphate in the U.S. that followed Shariah law, a strict form of Islam observed by the Taliban in Afghanistan.”


655 posted on 12/14/2007 3:03:32 PM PST by Cindy
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To: All; Jim Robinson; backhoe; piasa; Godzilla; nwctwx

November 14, 2007

NOTE: The following text is a quote:

http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2007/December/07_nsd_1006.html

Two Plead Guilty to Domestic Terrorism Charges of Conspiring to Attack Military Facilities, Jewish Targets

WASHINGTON— Two men who were part of a domestic terrorist cell pleaded guilty this morning to federal terrorism charges, admitting that they conspired to attack United States military operations, “infidels,” and Israeli and Jewish facilities in the Los Angeles area.

The two men – Kevin James, who formed the terror group while in a California state prison, and Levar Washington, who was recruited by James while in state prison and recruited others into the plot – pleaded guilty to conspiring to wage war against the United States.

A third member of the radical Islamic organization which James dubbed Jam’iyyat Ul-Islam Is-Saheeh, or JIS – Gregory Patterson – is expected to plead guilty to the terrorism conspiracy charge on Monday. The fourth member of JIS named in an indictment – Hammad Samana – has been found unfit to stand trial and is currently receiving psychiatric care at a federal prison facility.

“We are keenly aware of the threat posed by home-grown terrorism. As the guilty pleas today demonstrate, we will continue to identify and disrupt extremist cells before they can inflict harm. This case demonstrates how law enforcement cooperation at all levels thwarted a domestic plot that targeted U.S. military facilities as well as Israeli and Jewish facilities in the Los Angeles area,” said Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey.

FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III stated: “This is a case in which a terrorist cell grew out of a prison cell. Despite the fact that they had no connection to al-Qaeda leaders, they had adopted their cause. These home-grown terrorists had raised the money, recruited the people, chosen the targets, obtained the weapons and set the date. All they had left to do was to strike. The JIS case is an outstanding example of how the Joint Terrorist Task Force system works. A local crime yielded clues that pointed to terrorism. That information was brought to the JTTF and soon over 300 FBI personnel and police officers were tracking suspects and unraveling the plot. It was the superb partnership between law enforcement agencies that prevented that.”

U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O’Brien commented: “The prevention of future terrorist attacks is the number one priority of the Justice Department, and the investigation and successful prosecution of the JIS terrorist organization stands out as a landmark case in Southern California. With the defendants considering a series of targets to attack – including U.S. Army personnel, synagogues and others perceived as ‘infidels’– this terror plot had reached an advanced level. Because these men were driven by ideological fervor, had a demonstrated ability to obtain weapons, and had planned attacks on identified targets, an untold number of lives may have been saved when this terrorist cell was dismantled.”

In plea agreements filed this morning and court proceedings conducted this morning in United States District Court in Santa Ana, James and Washington admitted that they conspired “to levy war against the government of the United States through terrorism, and to oppose by force the authority of the United States government.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Salvador Hernandez said: “Law enforcement personnel at all levels put forth a tremendous effort to put this case together and the proof of that is evident today. A terrorist attack on the city of Los Angeles, hatched in our midst and on our soil, was thwarted in the advanced planning stage. This case is a perfect example of the Joint Terrorism Task Force in that no single agency could have done this alone.”

After forming JIS in 1997 while in state prison, James recruited Washington into the organization in late 2004 while both were prisoners at New Folsom Prison, where James had Washington swear an oath of loyalty and obedience to James and to JIS. After his release from prison several weeks after taking the JIS oath, Washington recruited Patterson and Samana into JIS and had them swear oaths of allegiance and obedience to JIS. After forming this cell, Washington and Patterson conducted about a dozen armed robberies of gas stations to supply money for the group’s planned attacks in the Los Angeles area.

Samana researched targets and prepared a document called “Modes of Attack.” The document listed “LAX and Consulate of Zion,” “Military Targets,” “Army Recruiting centers throughout the county,” “Military base in Manhattan Beach” and “Campsite of Zion.”

After Torrance Police investigators linked the two to a gas station robbery, various Jihadist documents were found at a South Los Angeles apartment where Washington and Patterson lived. In addition to the “Modes of Attack” document, investigators discovered a document titled “Notoriety Moves,” which contained a James-authored statement to be given to the media after a deadly attack. The proposed press statement reads, in part, “This incident is the first in a series of incidents to come in a plight to defend and propagate traditional Islam in its purity.” The document also warns “sincere Muslims” to avoid a series of targets, including “Those Jewish and non-Jewish supporters of an Israeli state.”

Torrance Police Chief John J. Neu said: “I am proud of the dedication and professionalism displayed by all involved in this critical case. The awareness, knowledge, skills and abilities of the officers involved effectively thwarted this terrorist plot. This case is a prime example of the powerful radical influence which poses a serious threat from within right here in Southern California. Today’s announcement shows that through teamwork we can effectively combat this threat. Unity is the key.”

Los Angeles Police Deputy Chief Michael Downing, Commanding Officer, Counter-Terrorism and Criminal Intelligence Bureau, stated: “This case was an outstanding example of cooperation between local, state and federal law enforcement and in particular the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) model. It also illustrates that the best information comes from the cops on the beat and those involved in criminal investigations, hence the all-crimes approach to terrorism prevention. Homegrown terrorism remains a grave concern for the security of our country and this cell was closer to going operational than any we have seen post-911. Jamiyyat UI Is Saheeh (JIS), translated as Assembly of Authentic Islam, practiced a form radicalized Islam that was neither authentic nor peaceful.”

James and Patterson pleaded guilty this morning before United States District Judge Cormac J. Carney, who is scheduled to sentence James on March 31 and Washington on April 28. As a result of his guilty plea, James faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Washington, who also pleaded guilty to using a firearm in relation to the terrorist plot, faces up to 25 years in prison.

“Investigators from the Office of Correctional Safety dedicated a significant amount of time and resources to this case. Our department has a long history of dealing with prison gangs and inmates who advocate violence. We assist our law enforcement partners on many investigations to root out criminal organized enterprise activity in our prisons,” said Undersecretary David L. Runnels, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

The investigation into the terrorist conspiracy was led by the FBI’s Long Beach Joint Terrorism Task Force, whose participating agencies include the Los Angeles Police Department; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; the Torrance Police Department; the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; the Long Beach Police Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; the Los Angeles Port Police; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service; the Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Redondo Beach Police Department.

Substantial assistance during the investigation was provided by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Investigations; the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the California Department of Justice; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations; and the Department of Defense. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office worked collaboratively with the United States Attorney’s Office during the investigation.

###

07-1006


656 posted on 12/14/2007 3:06:04 PM PST by Cindy
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To: All

December 14, 2007

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2007/December/07_crt_1011.html

Michigan Man Sentenced to 36 Months Imprisonment for Cross-burning

WASHINGTON – Ronald Joshua Youngblood, 26, of Ypsilanti, Mich., was sentenced today to 36 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to violating the housing rights of an African-American family by burning a cross at the family’s home, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Grace Chung Becker, of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, and Stephen J. Murphy, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.

The sentence arises out of an incident that occurred on June 20, 2006, when Youngblood and several friends burned a five-foot-tall cross in front of the victims’ residence in an attempt to drive the victims out of their home. The defendant also set off an explosive device to awaken the family members so that they would run outside and see the burning cross.

“Crimes of hate have no place in a free society. In this country, all Americans should be able to live in peace, where they choose, without fear of intimidation and violence. The federal government will continue to vigorously prosecute hate crimes, and today’s sentence sends the message that those who commit criminal acts will pay a price,” said Grace Chung Becker, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.

“Today’s sentence gives real life and meaning to our Constitution’s promise of equal protection under the laws, and our society’s rejection of racial intimidation in any form,” said Stephen J. Murphy, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. “One would hope that federal convictions and sentences for cross burnings would be nothing more than an ugly topic for historical study, but sadly, they are not. And as long as there are those who would violate the rights and security of their neighbors out of some kind of intolerance or discrimination, my office will be there to prosecute them and see to it that their crimes are punished.”

This case was investigated by the Sumpter Township Police Department and the Detroit Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela Thompson and Trial Attorney Barbara Bosserman from the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

###

07-1011


657 posted on 12/14/2007 3:12:55 PM PST by Cindy
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To: All

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1939544/posts

Woman Married To 10 Men At Same Time
Local10 Miami ^ | POSTED: 7:48 am EST December 14, 2007 | Copyright 2007 by Local10.com

Posted on 12/14/2007 10:30:29 AM PST by F15Eagle
MIAMI — A 26-year-old Miami woman was married to 10 men at the same time, prosecutors allege, in a marriage-for-pay scheme to enable the men to remain in the United States.

Eunice Lopez was charged with nine counts of bigamy Wednesday.

The charges say she married the men between 2002 and 2006 without divorcing any of them. In one case, she married two men in the same month.

(Excerpt) Read more at local10.com ...


658 posted on 12/14/2007 3:17:58 PM PST by Cindy
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To: All

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/071213atlanta.htm

Several convicted for amnesty fraud conspiracy

ATLANTA - Emma Gerald, 56, of Kennesaw, Georgia, Ruy Brasil Silva, 46, of Roswell, Georgia, Douglas Ross, 30, of Kennesaw, Georgia, and Hudson Araujo, 28, of Brockton, Massachusetts, were convicted today by a federal jury on charges of conspiracy, money laundering and making false statements related to a fraud scheme targeting illegal aliens, after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) investigation.

“These people profited extensively by exploiting our nation’s immigration system,” said Ken Smith, Special Agent-in-Charge of ICE’s office of Investigations in Atlanta. “It is especially troubling that these individuals abused their positions of trust to attract their clientele.”

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said, “Today’s verdict should serve as a warning to those who would file fraudulent applications with United States Immigration authorities. As was said in court, this is a case that began with a thousand lies, and the jury’s verdict spoke the final word of truth.”

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is very pleased with the return of guilty verdicts against these four defendants,” said Martin D. Phanco, Inspector-in-Charge of the Atlanta Division. “This clearly demonstrates the hard work and commitment by the U.S. Postal Inspectors and other federal agencies when it comes to investigating crimes involving the fraudulent use of the U.S. Mail. We will continue to vigorously protect the American public from becoming victimized by those who are responsible for this type of criminal activity.”

According to United States Attorney Nahmias, the charges and other information presented at the eleven-day trial, Emma Gerald, the pastor of a local church, held herself out as a consultant to aliens seeking amnesty in the United States. Gerald did business under the name “EJ Consulting Services.” Under a program known as the “Catholic Social Services/LULAC/Newman Amnesty Program” (the “CSS Amnesty Program”), certain aliens who were illegally in the United States were eligible to apply for temporary residence in this country. In order to be eligible, an alien had to meet certain requirements, including having been present in the United States unlawfully from prior to January 1982, and having previously made an unsuccessful attempt to apply for temporary residence in the United States.

Gerald conducted meetings at Marietta churches to solicit aliens, largely Brazilian nationals who were illegally present in the United States, to apply for the CSS Amnesty Program. Ruy Brasil Silva was a pastor of one of the churches and made it available to Gerald for the meetings. Marcos Amador, who pled guilty and cooperated with the Government, acted as a translator and assistant to Gerald. Gerald advised the Brazilian aliens that the Department of Homeland Security did not have records to establish whether an alien met the CSS Amnesty Program requirements as to length of residence in the United States or previous unsuccessful application for amnesty, so that they could apply even if they did not qualify. Over the course of the scheme, Gerald charged the aliens between $300 per person/ $500 per married couple to approximately $600 per person/ $1100 per married couple. For an extra fee, Gerald and Amador would provide the aliens with letters falsely stating that they met the program requirements as to length of residence and previous application for amnesty. Douglas Ross, Gerald’s son, attended the meetings, assisting Gerald with preparing and collecting applications and collecting money from the aliens.

Gerald, Silva, Ross, and Amador conducted similar meetings in Florida, collecting money from Brazilian aliens to assist them in filing fraudulent applications. Gerald, Ross, and Araujo conducted meetings in Brockton, Massachusetts. Araujo was Gerald’s representative in Massachusetts. He booked hotel conference rooms for the Massachusetts meetings, assisted at the meetings, and mailed applications and application-related documents to Gerald at her Kennesaw, Georgia post office box. Gerald and other co-conspirators were indicted on multiple charges on May 18, 2006.

Evidence at trial showed that Gerald alone received at least $465,000 in the scheme, which she used to purchase a half-million dollar house in Kennesaw, and new Mercedes sedan valued at more than $75,000.

Gerald faces a maximum sentence of 45 years in prison and a fine of up to $1.25 million. Silva faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $500,000. Ross and Araujo each face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The United States is also seeking forfeiture of the house, the Mercedes and 5 bank accounts belonging to Emma Gerald/Pillar Of Faith Church, all of which represents the ill-gotten proceeds from the scheme. Sentencing for Gerald has been set for February 26, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., before United States District Judge Jack T. Camp.

This case was investigated by special agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Postal Inspectors of the United States Postal Inspection Service.

Assistant United States Attorneys Teresa D. Hoyt and Jon-Peter Kelly are prosecuting the case.

— ICE —


659 posted on 12/14/2007 3:37:26 PM PST by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1939374/posts

“The Communist Roots of Palestinian Terror”
FrontPageMagazine.com ^ | December 14, 2007 | David Meir-Levi
Posted on 12/14/2007 5:41:17 AM PST by SJackson


660 posted on 12/14/2007 3:41:33 PM PST by Cindy
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