NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Local, state and federal law enforcement officers in Nashville, Tenn., Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., on Monday began arresting 29 individuals who were listed in a federal indictment which was unsealed listing various charges, including sex trafficking juveniles and conspiring to sex traffic juveniles, obstruction of justice, perjury, auto theft and credit card fraud. The 24-count indictment was announced at a press conference in Nashville by Jerry E. Martin, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, and John Morton, Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Also appearing at the news conference were the following law enforcement leaders in this investigation: Sarah Beth Pulliam, Special Agent in Charge (SAC), U.S. Secret Service, Nashville Field Office; Amy Hess, SAC, FBI Memphis Field Office; Mark Gwyn, Director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI); Ken Reed, Assistant Chief, St. Paul Police Department; and Chief Steve Anderson of the Nashville Metropolitan Police Department.
The indictment results from an investigation that began in 2008 and alleges that the defendants are involved in or are associates of the following gangs which are connected to one another: the Somali Outlaws, the Somali Mafia, and the Lady Outlaws.
“Human traffickers abuse innocent people, undermine our public safety, and often use their illicit proceeds to fund sophisticated criminal organizations,” said ICE Director Morton. “ICE is committed to bringing these criminals to justice and rescuing their victims from a life in the shadows. We will continue to fight the battle to end human trafficking both here in the United States and around the globe.”
“Trafficking children for sex is intolerable and the Department of Justice will aggressively enforce trafficking and other laws to eliminate these types of deplorable acts,” said U.S. Attorney Martin. “As shown here today, law enforcement agencies at every level will come together to bring the full force of justice to bear on individuals who choose to profit by victimizing innocent children.”
The indictment alleges that between 2000 and 2010, members and associates of the gangs transported underage Somali and African-American females from the Minneapolis area to Nashville for the purpose of having the females engage in sex acts for money and other items of value. The indictment alleges the defendants used some girls for sex trafficking who were 13 years old and younger. The indictment also alleges that an 18-year-old woman was sexually assaulted. Sex trafficking offenses carry a penalty of not less than 15 years to life in prison.
The indictment further charges that members and associates of the gangs conspired to obstruct the investigation and committed perjury during the course of testimony before the federal grand jury investigating the case. The indictment also alleges that members and associates of these gangs stole a motor vehicle and used it to engage in credit card fraud, which amounted to a $231,000 loss to one credit card company in about a one-year period.
“Today’s arrests demonstrate the importance of cooperation between state, local and federal law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of organized crime,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Hess. “Criminal organizations are not limited by physical boundaries or state lines. The crimes of human trafficking, especially for the sex trade, and identity theft reach across our nation and directly, sometimes permanently, impact the lives of victims and their families. The FBI will continue to focus on the disruption and dismantlement of these organizations and bring them to justice.”
TBI Director Gwyn said, “This case is proof of how critical criminal intelligence support and analytical support is to an investigation. The information sharing and dedication by law enforcement agencies in this case is a testament to the lengths agencies will go to protect children.”
Those charged in the indictment are identified as:
•Abdifitah Jama Adan, aka “Shorty,” aka “Faleebo,” aka “Kuzzo,” 28;
•Abdullahi Sade Afyare, aka “Forehead,” 19;
•Ahmad Abnulnasir Ahmad, aka “Fabulous,” 23;
•Yahya Jamal Ahmed, 23;
•Abdikarim Osman Ali, aka “Homer,” aka “Big Abdi,” 22;
•Musse Ahmed Ali, aka “Fat Boy,” 23;
•Hassan Ahmed Dahir, aka “Mohamed Ali Hussein,” 21;
•Fadumo Mohamed Farah, aka “Naana Naana,” aka “Gangster Boo,” aka “Barnie,” 25;
•Idris Ibrahim Fahra, aka “Chi Town,” 22;
•Yasin Ahmed Farah, 19;
•Abdullahi Hashi, aka “Kamal,” 24;
•Fatah Haji Hashi, aka “Jerry,” aka “Jr,” 23;
•Abdirahman Abdirazak Hersi, aka “Biggie,” 20;
•Muhiyadin Hassan Hussein, aka “CD,” 22;
•Dahir Nor Ibrahim, aka “Dahir Lucky,” 38;
•Abdifatah Bashir Jama, aka “Cash Money,” aka “Ohio,” 23;
•Andrew Kayachith, aka “AK,” 20;
•Abdigadir Ahmed Khalif, aka “Awali,” 24;
•Bashir Yasin Mohamud, aka “Br,” 26;
•Mustafa Ahmed Mohamed, 22;
•Fuad Faisal Nur, aka “Hanjule,” 24;
•Abdifatah Sharif Omar, aka “British,” aka “Pinky,” 25;
•Liban Sharif Omar, aka “Sunderra,” 21;
•Mohamed Sharif Omar, aka “Moe D,” aka “Mojo,” 26;
•Hamdi Ali Osman, aka “Big Hamdi,” aka “Boss Lady,” 22;
•Haji Osman Salad, aka “Hollywood,” 20;
•Bibi Ahmed Said, 19;
•Ahmed Aweys Sheik, aka “Rear Hammer,” aka “Abdul,” 24;
•and Yassin Abdirahman Yusuf, aka “Junior,” aka “Black Cat Junior,” 21.
This case was investigated by the ICE Office of Homeland Security Investigations, the St. Paul Police Department, the FBI, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, and the Minnesota Financial Crimes Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Van Vincent, of the Middle District of Tennessee, is prosecuting this case.
For more information, visit www.ice.gov.
