DOJ Press Release: San Diego Woman Charged with Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to al Shabaab

San Diego Woman Charged with Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to al Shabaab

SAN DIEGO—An indictment charging San Diego resident Nima Ali Yusuf, 24, with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, conspiracy to provide material support to al Shabaab, and making false statements to a government agency in a matter involving international terrorism, was unsealed today, Laura E. Duffy, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California, announced.

With the assistance of Customs and Border Protection, special agents of the FBI arrested Yusuf on Nov. 12, 2010. On Nov. 15, 2010, U.S. Magistrate Judge Nita L. Stormes arraigned Yusuf on the indictment. Yusuf will be held without bail pending a detention hearing scheduled for Nov. 18, 2010.

According to U.S. Attorney Duffy, the arrest arises from an investigation by the San Diego Joint Terrorism Task Force.

The charge of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charge of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charge of making false statements to a government agency in a matter involving international terrorism carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

An indictment itself is not evidence that the defendants committed the crimes charged. The defendant is presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.