Press Release
For Immediate Release
September 17, 2010
Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691

FBI’s Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending September 17, 2010

New York: Manhattan U.S. Attorney Charges Long Island Man with Engaging in Hawala Activity That Funded Attempted Times Square Bombing

Mohammad Younis was charged with operating an unlicensed money transfer business between the United States and Pakistan. One of the money transfers allegedly facilitated the May 1, 2010, attempted car bombing in New York City’s Times Square. There are no allegations, however, that Younis was aware of the intended use of the funds. Full Story

Newark: 53 Defendants Charged in Coordinated Identity Theft and Fraud Takedown

Fifty-three individuals were charged in connection with widespread, sophisticated identity theft and fraud, including 43 individuals charged with participating in one large-scale criminal enterprise. Full Story

Baltimore: MS-13 Gang Leader Sentenced for Racketeering Offenses, Including the Murder of a Witness

Juan Carlos Moreira was sentenced to life in prison for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise known as MS-13, conspiring to and committing murder in aid of racketeering, witness tampering murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering. Full Story

New York: Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Additional Charges against Two U.S. Citizens Alleged to Have Provided Material Support to al Qaeda

Additional terrorism charges were filed against Wesam El-Hanafi and Sabirhan Hasanoff for allegedly providing material support, including money and computer assistance, to al Qaeda. Full Story

Philadelphia: Former Liquor Enforcement Officer Sentenced for Extortion

Gina Marie Kepler, a former state police liquor enforcement officer, was sentenced to three years in prison for Hobbs Act Extortion. Full Story

Chicago: West Suburban Man Sentenced for Swindling 75 Victims in Ponzi Scheme

Matthew Scott was sentenced to 10 years in prison for swindling some 75 victims, many of whom lost their retirement funds and life savings. He lured victims to invest approximately $28 million over nine years in a business that he falsely represented. Full Story

Boston: Corporate Executive Pleads Guilty to Role in Illegal Campaign Contribution Scheme and Witness Tampering

Martin Raffol pled guilty to engaging in a scheme to conceal from the Federal Election Commission illegal public campaign contributions made to federal campaign committees and to witness tampering. Full Story

Little Rock: “Operation Hog Wildâ€