The FBI announced Friday that it had arrested all five New Mexico compound suspects. The suspects were now being charged with violating federal firearms and conspiracy laws.
The announcement comes after local prosecutors dropped charges in the death of a 3-year-old boy at the compound site. Taos County District Attorney Donald Gallegos said Friday his office would now seek grand jury indictments involving the death. Gallegos said seeking indictments would allow more time to gather evidence.
"The defendants, Jany Leveille a Haitian national illegally in the United States, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, Hujrah Wahhaj, Subhanah Wahhaj, and Lucas Morton, are charged in a criminal complaint that was filed earlier today in the U.S. District Court for the District of NM," the bureau said in a statement.
"The criminal complaint charges Jany Leveille with being an alien unlawfully in possession of firearms and ammunition in the District of NM ."The criminal complaint charges the other four defendants with aiding and abetting Leveille in committing the offense, and with conspiring with Leveille to commit the offense."
District Judge Emilio Chavez dismissed charges against Lucas Morton, Subhannah Wahhaj and Hujrah Wahhaj, ruling that authorities violated the state’s “10-day rule.”
3 ‘EXTREMIST MUSLIM’ NEW MEXICO COMPOUND SUSPECTS RELEASED AFTER JUDGE DROPS ALL CHARGES
The five suspects were arrested after a raid following a monthslong inquiry into the disappearance of Abdul-ghani Wahhaj, 3. The boy, who had severe medical issues, disappeared from Georgia in December. The occupants of the compound were "most likely heavily armed and considered extremist of the Muslim belief," an official said at the time.
Taos County Sheriff's deputies discovered 11 children at the compound, who were taken into the custody of state child welfare workers. On Aug. 6, a child’s remains were found on the property.
Siraj Ibn Wahhaj was allegedly training children to commit school shootings, according to prosecutors, who later alleged that the juveniles were taught how to use firearms, as well as tactical techniques, in order to kill teachers, law enforcement and other institutions they found corrupt.
Health officials confirmed earlier this month that the discovered remains were positively identified as the 3-year-old's.
all five suspects without incident were arrested.
Leveille faces a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment and deportation upon completion of her sentence if convicted, according to the bureau.
If convicted of aiding and abetting Leveille, Leveille’s co-defendants could each face a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment. If convicted on the conspiracy charge, meanwhile, the five could each face a statutory penalty of five years' imprisonment.
http://time.com/5384652/fbi-new-mexico-compound-arrest/
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/08/31/fbi-arrests-five-new-mexico-compound-suspects-days-after-multiple-charges-were-dropped.html
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Factfinder2 ago
Notice that previously dropped child abuse charges other than those directly surrounding the death of the 3-year-old are not being readdressed. The feds are only looking at firearm violations and conspiracy to commit firearm violations--nothing about the kids.
carmencita ago
What do you suppose the reason is for not addressing the children? I would think that is an important factor. The children are with social services and I remember looking them up in that area and there have been complaints made by juveniles regarding abuse. This is worrisome.
Factfinder2 ago
See my comment to Samsquamch. I think they're not readdressing the child abuse charges because they believe the charges don't warrant the convening of a grand jury, which is apparently the route that would need to be taken. I hope the reason is not more nefarious than that, but it certainly could be, what with the feds filling in tunnels right away, etc.
carmencita ago
Wonder what else was going on there that they don't want to charge for the death of a child. Very interesting and quite scary as well. This case has been strange from the very start. Nothing ever is told to straighten the info out that we have received. It only confuses more.
Factfinder2 ago
To clarify, the local prosecutors are proceeding with a grand jury on the death of a child, just not the other child abuse charges that were previously dropped.
carmencita ago
Duh. OK. I get it now. Thanks for explaining.