His mother said, “They should not entrap young boys.” What would it take to entrap you into trying to murder hundreds, if not thousands, of people? How could you be enticed to do it? Mohamed Mohamud deserves every second of this thirty-year sentence, and should serve it all. The idea that upstanding, patriotic young men can be entrapped into jihad mass murder is beyond absurd.
“Mohamed Mohamud sentenced for 2010 bomb plot,” by Brent Weisberg, KOIN.com, October 1, 2014 (thanks to Ron):
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN 6) — Mohamed Mohamud was sentenced to 30 years in prison for trying to detonate a bomb in Pioneer Courthouse Square during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in 2010.
Mohamud, now 23, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison and lifetime supervision after release by Judge Garr M. King in US Federal Court in downtown Portland. Mohamud will receive credit for the four years he spent in custody prior to the sentencing.
Prosecutors wanted a 40 year sentence, while his defense team only wanted 10 years.
Mohamed Mohamud’s mother outside court after he son was sentenced to 30 years in prison, Oct. 1, 2014 (KOIN 6 News)Mohamed Mohamud’s mother outside court after he son was sentenced to 30 years in prison, Oct. 1, 2014 (KOIN 6 News)In a statement outside the courtroom after the sentencing, Mohamed’s mother, Miriam Mohamud, was adamant in her belief the judge’s decision was an “injustice.”
“A government we trust should not do that,” she said. “We contribute to this country, we have never done anything. … They should not entrap young boys.”
She said that she came to the United States with the same dreams other people have.
“We are Muslim and our religion does not teach to kill innocent people,” she said. “The FBI should not tell kids, ‘This is what you should do.’”
His lead lawyer said an appeal is pending due to “significant issues with the case.”
In signaling their intention to appeal the sentencing, his legal team said they believed imperfect entrapment was an issue.
“The whole notion of ‘sting operation’ as it played out in this trial will lead to some significant discussions by our policy makers,” the lawyer said.
“This case began with parents asking for help,” Mohamud’s lawyer said. “Interactions with Mohamud and undercover operatives included instruction…(and authorities) allowed events to proceed to the day after Thanksgiving.”
In her remarks following the sentencing, prosecutor Amanda Marshall said the 30-year sentence sends a strong message to violent extremists.
Mohamud, she said, was in contact with jihadists and Muslim extremists “well before” his father contacted the FBI, Marshall said.
Marshall said she hopes for closure in this case.
“I understand the family’s concern,” she said. “That doesn’t comport itself with the facts presented at trial.”
The case
Then 19, Mohamud was arrested Nov. 26, 2010. As thousands of people packed Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown, FBI agents were with him as he attempted to detonate a bomb packed inside a van. The FBI said the bomb was inert, and did not pose any threat to the people standing feet away from the vehicle or the 70-foot tree.
Mohamud, prosecutors said, “never hesitated or wavered in his willingness and desire to kill thousands that day.”
Mohamud, prosecutors said, was a “prolific user of extremist Internet websites and social networking forum.” Mohamud posted and wrote on those forums, which prosecutors said was a demonstration of his commitment to “extremist principles.”…