Federal Jury Convicts Five for Supporting Terrorism and Establishing Fortified Compound with Ammunition to “Face the Nation”
In a shocking turn of events, a federal jury in New Mexico has convicted five individuals of various charges, including supporting and conspiring to support terrorists, as well as conspiracy to murder a U.S. officer or employee. The defendants, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, his sisters Hujrah and Subhanah, Subhanah’s husband Lucas Morton, and Jany Leveille, were also found guilty of fatal kidnapping and conspiring to commit the same.
According to the Department of Justice, Siraj and his co-defendants kidnapped his three-year-old son from his wife in Alabama and brought him to New Mexico under false pretenses. Leveille, who had convinced the group that the child was hers and was possessed by demons, played a significant role in the establishment of a fortified base and firing range, arming themselves with firearms and ammunition, and training to “face the nation,” wage jihad, and become martyrs.
Tragically, the young boy, who was severely disabled, died shortly after arriving at the compound due to neglect and lack of proper medical care, as the defendants were busy performing exorcisms on him. The group held the belief that the child would resurrect as Jesus Christ, and they would use him to judge and take down U.S. government institutions.
During a raid, officers discovered the remains of the child in an underground tunnel and arrested Siraj without incident. However, 11 other children were found at the compound, who were reportedly malnourished and living in squalid conditions. Leveille, who hailed from Haiti, was the leader of the group, and Siraj was her partner.
Prosecutors described the defendants’ actions as a “sick end-of-times scheme” and argued that they had unique beliefs that drove them down a dangerous path. However, Siraj maintained that the government had portrayed him as a monster and rejected the accusations against him.
Leveille has reached a plea agreement, and she faces up to 17 years in prison, while the rest of the defendants could receive a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, according to the DOJ.