QUICKTAKE : Iraqi Caught in ‘U.S. Sting’ Faces Life in Prison – Andrew Wolfson

An Iraqi man has pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court to charges of planning to send weapons and money to al-Qaida.  Mohanad Shareef Hammadi could be sent to prison for the rest of his life when he is sentenced in December in Louisville, Kentucky. Hammadi pleaded guilty to all 10 charges of conspiring to help al-Qaida and lying to federal agents about ties to extremist groups when he came to the United States.

Reporter Andrew Wolfson with the Louisville Courier-Journal in Kentucky has been following the case, and he spoke with VOA’s Susan Yackee

‘He was caught in a sting’

“A confidential informant who has been identified publicly only as ‘Amar’ was introduced to a co-defendant of Mr. Hammadi, Waad Alwan, and told that the confidential informant was providing these resources to al-Qaida. Alwan joined the conspiracy first, and he recruited Mr. Hammadi. Alwan pleaded guilty last December.”

‘They both face life sentences’

“Apparently, the government made no offers to either defendant. They had no choice but to either go to trial on the charges or plead guilty. There’s usually a sentencing break given to those who plead guilty and spare the government of the time and resources required for a trial. They both face potential life sentences.”

Listen to more of Andrew Wilson’s take on the trial (2:00):

Susan Yackee

Susan Yackee is anchor and producer of VOA's audio podcast, Middle East Monitor. She has been a reporter in the Washington area for more than 35 years and regularly interviews newsmakers and analysts in DC and around the world. Susan works in television, radio and social media.