This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/4062
California man sentenced to 70 months for jihadi plot to kill Jews and attack military bases
August 19, 2009
Man sentenced for role in plot to kill Jews, attack military bases
He is 4th to be sentenced from prison-founded group that also wanted to attack airline at LAX.
By RACHANEE SRISAVASDI
The Orange County Register
Monday, August 17, 2009
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/samana-months-carney-2530952-sentenced-prison
SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced to 70 months in prison today for his role in a domestic terrorism plot to wage war on the United States by attacking Jewish synagogues and military bases.
Hammad Riaz Samana is the fourth member of Jami'yyat Ul-Islam Is-Shaheeh, or JIS, a prison-founded group that wanted to make a political statement that also had plans to attack the Israeli consulate in Los Angeles and El Al Israel Airlines at the Los Angeles International Airport.
Samana was 21 when he was charged in the case in July 2005, along with the cell's mastermind, Kevin James, and members Levar Haley Washington and Gregory Patterson.
The group committed armed robberies of 11 gas stations, including two in Fullerton, to buy weapons and gear for the attacks. Authorities said gas stations were chosen as targets because of the symbolism of the oil.
Samana had a smaller role in the plot, and conducted computer research on the terrorism targets, and was the getaway driver for one of the armed robberies, according to U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney at today's sentencing hearing.
Carney acknowledged he was imposing a substantially lighter sentence on Samana than those given to the other men.
Washington is serving 264 months in prison, while James was sentenced to 192 months and Patterson was sentenced to 151 months, Carney said.
But Samana warranted a lighter sentence because he suffered from mental health issues, the judge said. Samana suffered from schizophrenia at the time of the crime.
"In light of Samana's mental health issues at the time of the offense, such a disparity is warranted and justified," Carney said.
Samana pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of conspiracy.
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SMC student sentenced in terror plot
by Daily Press Staff (Santa Monica)
August 19, 2009
http://www.smdp.com/Articles-c-2009-08-18-61327.113116_SMC_student_sentenced_in_terror_plot.html#222
SANTA ANA — A Santa Monica College student who helped a radical prison-based Islamic militant group that plotted "war" against the U.S. government and targeted Israel supporters was sentenced Monday to 70 months in federal prison.
Hammad Samana of Inglewood was the last of the four members of the group, Jam'iyyat Ul-Islam Is-Saheeh, or JIS, to be convicted and sentenced for their involvement, said Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Samana was a "lesser character" in the plot to wage war against the United States through acts of terrorism, Mrozek said.
Samana researched targets and prepared a "Modes of Attack" plan, which listed the Los Angeles International Airport and the "Consulate of Zion," as well as army recruitment centers, prosecutors said.
The document also listed a "military base in Manhattan Beach" and "Campsite of Zion."
Two of the cell's members robbed about a dozen gas stations in 2005 to finance the attacks throughout the Los Angeles area, prosecutors said.
Kevin James, 32, who authorities said founded JIS in prison in 1997, pleaded guilty in 2007 and was sentenced in March to 16 years in federal prison.
Levar Washington, 31, was sentenced in June 2008 to 22 years in prison and Gregory Patterson, 25, of Gardena was sentenced in July 2008 to 151 months in prison.
This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/4062