Counterintelligence - Espionage - Spy Case

Name	Amen Ahmed Ali aka Ali Amin Alrowhani also known as Amin Ali Rohany also known as Ameen Alrohany	OMER, Ibrahim A.	AL-RAHIMI, Mohamed
Employer	"Cigarettes World" store on Rosedale Highway, Bakersfield, CA
Dates of Employment
Employee Type	Owner
Job Title/Duties
Military Rank	Served in Yemeni military
Clearance Level

Spying For	Yemen
Codename
Spying Dates	1987-Sept 2007
Co-conspirators
Methodology	sold sensitive military equipment -- including night vision goggles, chemical suits, and body armor -- and shipped the items to Yemen between 2003 and 2004 Ali organized a Bakersfield-based chapter of an organization operated by the government of Yemen. As a leader of that organization, Ali received instructions directly from the Yemeni government	Omer's role in the alleged scheme was to secure a shipping container to move the military equipment to Yemen	Al-Rahimi would travel to Yemen to meet with the recipients of the stolen material and arrange for its sale there
Possible Motivations, Problems
Finances
Identified/ Investigation	Authorities launched an investigation into Ali after a U.S. Customs officer discovered boxes addressed to Yemen full of bullet-proof vests, chemical protective suits and U.S. military equipment in 2003, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Investigation by the Joint Terrorism Task Force, including the Justice Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Homeland Security Department's Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Bakersfield, CA Police Department, and the Kern County, CA Sheriff's Office.
Arrest Date/Location	Thursday, 7 September 2006	Thursday, 7 September 2006	At large Anyone having information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call the Bakersfield Resident Office of the FBI at (661) 323-9665
Charges	Count One (Ali) - Conspiracy to Possess and Transmit Defense Information - 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Count Two (Ali and Omer) - Conspiracy to Unlawfully Export Defense Articles - five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Count Three (Ali and Omer) - Attempted Unlawful Export of Defense Articles - 10 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. Count Four (Ali and Al-Rahimi) - Conspiracy to Possess Stolen Government Property - five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Act as an unregistered agent of a foreign government	Count Two (Ali and Omer) - Conspiracy to Unlawfully Export Defense Articles - five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Count Three (Ali and Omer) - Attempted Unlawful Export of Defense Articles - 10 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. Act as an unregistered agent of a foreign government	Count Four (Ali and Al-Rahimi) - Conspiracy to Possess Stolen Government Property - five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Act as an unregistered agent of a foreign government
Court
Lawyers
Status	18 Nov 2008: Being considered for Bail Next court appearance: Early 2009

Date/Place of Birth	1950, Yemen	1966, Yemen	1944, Yemen
Citizenship	Came to US in 1970; naturalized US citizen in 1976	naturalized US citizen	naturalized US citizen
Residences	Bakersfield, CA	Fort Worth, TX (formerly lived in Bakersfield, CA)	Bakersfield, CA
Education
Family
Other Employment
Additional Bio

Documents	Indictment (31 Aug 2006) USA v Amen Ahmed Ali, Ibrahim A. Omer, Mohamed Al-Rahimi FBI News Release (7 Sept 2006)
Quotes
Case Links	Bakersfield Spy Ring Brief (MILNET)
Books

News:

Amen Ali accused of espionage could be released on bail soon

A Bakersfield man accused of espionage and trying to ship stolen U.S. military equipment to Yemen may be released from jail for the first time in two years. Amen Ali’s family and friends have been working for a year and a half to accumulate $1.5 million in real estate to guarantee Ali’s release. On Monday, Federal Court Judge Anthony W. Ishii approved a property bond based on several properties, said Bakersfield Defense Attorney David Torres, one of Ali’s attorneys. “He could be out in about a week and a half,” Torres said. “His family is very excited.”

But first Torres must show proof to the court in Fresno that the accumulated worth of the properties is indeed $1.5 million. In March, family members had assembled some 15 properties in their effort to secure Ali’s release as he awaits trial. But they came up $9,000 short. And with property values dropping in recent months and years, the effort has been an uphill battle...He was arrested in September 2006 after federal agents descended upon his Bakersfield home. Torres said he expects a trial date to be set sometime next year. He will know more after a status hearing in January. In the meantime, it’s been difficult for the defense to access highly secret documents and other evidence connected to the case, he said. “Some of this is top secret,” he said. “We still need to get a lot of information through the discovery process.” Ali faces up to 45 years in federal prison if convicted of all counts……(Bakersfield Californian, 17 Nov 08)

Family of accused spy raising bail money

The family of a Bakersfield man accused of espionage and trying to ship stolen U.S. military equipment to Yemen is working to secure his freedom — at least temporarily. Amen Ahmed Ali, whom federal authorities have accused of attempted exportation of arms and munitions and acting as an agent of a foreign government, has been held in Fresno County Jail since October 2006, said David Torres, one of Ali’s defense attorneys. U.S. District Judge Anthony W. Ishii has indicated that he will consider freeing the 57-year-old if Ali can post a property bond worth $1.5 million…He was arrested in September 2006 after federal agents descended upon his Bakersfield home.

Another hearing is scheduled for March 17, according to court records……(Bakersfield, 29 Feb 08)

Judge sets bail hearing for man in secrets case

A federal judge in Fresno on Tuesday scheduled a special hearing next month to determine whether bail may be offered to a Bakersfield man accused of collecting U.S. defense secrets and military equipment for a Middle Eastern country. Amen Ahmed Ali, a Yemeni-born naturalized citizen of the United States, remained in custody on charges that he was acting as a government agent of Yemen when he allegedly tried to obtain secret documents and military gear between 2005 and 2006 from a man posing as a disgruntled member of the Army.

The hearing, scheduled for Dec. 14, is intended to determine whether Ali has sufficient ties to the community, whether he is a flight risk and whether he is a danger to the community, said Ali's attorney, David Torres.

If the court finds that Ali is not a flight risk and not a danger, he may become eligible for a $1 million property bond and be able to return to his family as the case makes its way through the justice system, Torres said.

In the meantime, Torres has reviewed and continues to sift through thousands of pages of documents and hours of tapes and recorded conversations in evidence. But because much of the evidence is classified, Torres said he hasn't received "the full benefit of discovery." U.S. attorneys have argued that Ali is a flight risk with a connection to Yemen that goes beyond the norm. He is alleged to have ties to convicted terrorist financier Mohammed Ali Hassan al-Moayad, a Yemeni cleric who was found guilty of supplying money and weapons to al Qaida and Hamas in 2005. Ali has already spent more than 14 months in custody -- since September 2006 -- but a trial date has not yet been set. He could face 30 to 45 years in prison if convicted……(Bakersfield Californian, 13 Nov 07)

Bakersfield man faces espionage charge

Federal prosecutors have added espionage to the charges against Amen Ahmed Ali, the Bakersfield man who authorities say tried to ship stolen U.S. military equipment and defense secrets to Yemen….Besides espionage, Ali also faces a new charge of conspiracy to act as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. His co-defendants, Ibrahim A. Omer of Fort Worth, Texas, and Mohamed Al-Rahimi, face the same conspiracy charge….(Fresno Bee, 17 Jan 07)

Man accused of obtaining secrets denied bail

Amen Ahmed Ali, a Yemeni-born naturalized citizen, pleaded not guilty earlier in the day to new charges that he was acting as a government agent of Yemen when he allegedly tried to obtain secret documents and military gear between 2005 and 2006 from a man posing as a disgruntled member of the Army.....(Bakersfield Californian, 16 Jan 07)

No bail for Bakersfield man accused of espionage

Bail has been denied for a Bakersfield man accused of being a spy for the country of Yemen. Until Tuesday afternoon, bail for Amen Ahmed Ali had been set at $750,000. Based on that figure, the Kern County Yemeni community collected $1.5 million in property to use as bond to get the 56-year-old out of federal jail.....(MSNBC/KGET-TV, 16 Jan 07)

Accused Yemen spy faces new charges

The man previously accused of trying to sell U.S. secrets and equipment to Yemen is now accused of being a spy for that foreign country. A federal indictment filed Thursday says Amen Ahmed Ali acted on behalf of the Yemini government when he sold what he thought was stolen U.S. military weaponsl.....(MSNBC/KGET-TV, 16 Jan 07) VIDEO

Feds: Ali a Yemeni agent

EXCLUSIVE: Indictment changes in Bakersfield military secrets case.....(Bakersfield Californian, 12 Jan 07)

Prosecution shares phone evidence in case

Copies of more than 100 phone calls intercepted by the government were handed over Monday to the defense attorney representing Amen Ahmed Ali, the Bakersfield man accused of trying to acquire and sell defense secrets and stolen military equipment. The calls are part of the prosecution's evidence against Ali and were recorded under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act…..(Bakersfield Californian, 30 Oct 06)

Bakersfield men accused of selling secrets to Yemen

Two Bakersfield men and a third from Texas are accused of sending secret defense information and stolen military equipment to Yemen. Under indictment by a Fresno federal grand jury are Amen Ahmed Ali, 56, and Mohamed Al-Rahimi, 62, both of Bakersfield along with a Fort Worth, Texas, man, says U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott in Fresno….(Central Valley Business Times, 19 Sep 06)

Attorney to seek bail in case of defense secrets

…Attorney David Torres said Monday he plans to request another hearing to consider bail for Amen Ahmed Ali before the next court date in the case scheduled for the end of October. A status conference scheduled for Monday was moved to Oct. 30 so Torres can review what has been described as volumes of evidence in the case….(Bakersfield, 18 Sep 06)

Alruhany remains in U.S detention

Ameen Ali Alruhany, 56, who was accused of trying to supply stolen U.S. military equipment and defense secrets to Yemen was denied bail Friday after a prosecutor said he had ties to a terrorist financier who plotted to help al-Qaeda and Hamas. In attempts to keep Alruhany, behind bars, prosecutors said a search of his house turned up contact information for Sheik Mohammed Ali Al-Moayad in Ali's address book.....(Yemen Times, 17 Sept 06)

Man facing trial tied to terror financier
A California man accused of trying to ship stolen U.S. military equipment and defense secrets to Yemen was denied bond Friday after a prosecutor claimed he had ties to a convicted terrorist financier who plotted to help al-Qaida and Hamas. The allegations emerged at a hearing for Amen Ahmed Ali, 56….(AP, 16 Sep 06)

Espionage Suspect Due In Court

One of the Bakersfield men, accused of funneling U.S. military secrets and equipment to Yemen, is set to face a federal judge in Fresno today. 56 year old Amen Ahmed Ali was arrested last week…(KGET, 13 Sep 06)

Bakersfield Man Pleads Not Guilty To Espionage Charges

…56-year-old Amen Ahmed Ali could face a maximum of 30 years in prison and $1.75 million in fines if convicted on all four counts…..(Turnto23, 9 Sep 06)

Experts: No place immune

We should not be surprised that men with Bakersfield ties have been indicted for conspiring to send defense secrets and military hardware to Yemen, security experts say.....(Bakersfield Californian, 9 Sept 06)

Details on Bakersfield Espionage Arrests

...announced today that AMEN AHMED ALI, 56, of Bakersfield, also known as Ali Amin Alrowhani, Amin Al Rohany or Ameen Alrohany, and two associates were indicted by a federal grand jury in Fresno on charges relating to the acquisition and transmission of secret defense information and the export of stolen and sensitive military equipment….(Bakersfield Online, 8 Sep 06)

Three Valley Men Indicted for Selling Secrets to Yemen

....(ABC, 8 Sep 06)

Trio accused of trying to send defense secrets
Two of three men accused of trying to obtain secret defense information and stolen military equipment to send to Yemen are scheduled for their first court appearance on Friday. The men, all born in Yemen but now U.S. citizens, face conspiracy charges….(AP, 8 Sep 06)

FBI Captures Espionage Suspect
America's fight in the war on terrorism has shown up here in the Ark-La-Tex with the arrest in Bossier City of a Halliburton engineer. Federal Magistrate Mark Hornsby read the charges against 40-year old Ibrahim Omer…(KSLA, 8 Sep 06)

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