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The father of a missing 3-year-old who was arrested at a New Mexico compound linked to “extremist Muslims” last week was training children to commit school shootings, court documents filed revealed. Prosecutors allege Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, 39, was conducting weapons training on the compound, where 11 children were found hungry and living in squalor. Wahhaj is the son of a Brooklyn imam, also named Siraj Wahhaj. Wahhaj Sr. was named by prosecutors as an un-indicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, according to the New York Post .
Local authorities raided the compound after a month’s long search investigating the disappearance of Abdul-ghani Wahhaj. The boy with severe medical issues who went missing from Georgia in December.
Lucas Morton, Jany Leveille, 35, Hujrah Wahhaj, 38, and Subhannah Wahhaj, 35, were also arrested on the property on Friday and all face child abuse charges. The makeshift compound — located near the Colorado border — was found shielded by old tires, wooden pallets and other debris. Upon authorities’ arrival, Wahhaj was “heavily armed with an AR15 rifle, five loaded 30 round magazines, and four loaded pistols, including one in his pocket when he was taken down,” Taos County Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe said. The sheriff said the children, ages 1 to 15, “looked like third world country refugees not only with no food or fresh water, but with no shoes, personal hygiene and basically dirty rags for clothing.” The only food investigators found were some potatoes and a box of rice inside a dirty trailer, the sheriff said, adding that the living conditions were “the ugliest looking, filthiest” he’s ever seen. Hogrefe previously said the occupants of the compound were “most likely heavily armed and considered extremist of the Muslim belief.”
In a warrant made public, Wahhaj told the missing boy’s mother that he wanted to perform an “exorcism” on his then-3-year-old son because he was “possessed by the devil.” The missing child reportedly suffered from seizures and couldn’t walk.
Wahhaj’s family background was already controversial prior to his arrest. In addition to his father reportedly being named by prosecutors as an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 bombing, the elder Wahhaj, who heads Masjid At-Taqwa mosque, was a character witness in the trial for Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman, the notorious “blind sheikh”. Abdel Rahman was convicted in 1995 of plotting terror attacks in the U.S.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
In Taos for a detention hearing on the 5 suspects arrested at a NM compound. Suspects have walked into the courtroom. Hearing about to begin.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Prosecutors making an opening statement: Prosecutor says suspect Siraj Wahhaj took several firearms classes in rapid succession in 2015. In 2017 he made a trip to Saudi Arabia. When he came back he told his wife he wanted a divorce.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Prosecutors now discussing a rollover crash last year where several children were hospitalized. Siraj Wahhaj was armed and several other guns were found in addition to a bullet proof vest.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Interviews with children allege that rituals were preformed on a small child named Abdul. The child died during one of these rituals.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
The children told investigators they were told Abdul would be resurrected as Jesus and instruct them on what corrupt institutions to attack. Including teachers. The children were allegedly given tactical training on how to clear rooms and taught how to shoot firearms.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Prosecutors say the two men were heavily armed when they were arrested. Children were found carrying ammunition. One may have been armed.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Sheriff on stand, saying they didn't take bullet proof vests because they aren't illegal to have.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Sheriff says Siraj Wahhaj was armed with an AR15 and a pistol when taken into custody… and a boy was also found with a holster, later telling investigators that he was told to arm up by Siraj and armed himself during the raid.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
.308 Sniper rifle found, 30/30 and a glock among the firearms found on the compound.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Sheriff says ATF is doing background check on the guns that were found- but so far nothing out of the ordinary.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Defense attorney making the case that it might be prudent to teach teenager how to safely use firearm. Sheriff agrees.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Sheriff says the deceased child was wrapped in cloth and plastic.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
FBI says that the children told them about rituals that were performed on the small 3 year old child Abdul. Says the children reported that Siraj would place his hand on the child's forehead and repeat verses from the Koran. Says the boy died during one of those rituals in Feb.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
FBI says boy told him they would participate in tactical training, speed loading, moving and shooting and room clearing. Child says at first training was to defend compound against government.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
The boy then told the FBI they were trained on how to attack "corrupt institutions" including financial institutions. Said they would carry out attacks by telling people about their message and if they didn't accept the message they would kill them or detain them
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
FBI says that one of the women believed that Abdul was rightfully her son and stolen from her womb by black magic.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
The child said they were told that Abdul was possessed by demons and the suspects believed he was dead and only able to walk because the demons kept him alive. They believed that when the last demon was exorcized, Abdul would come back as Jesus.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
FBI says the children told them that the body of Abdul would be washed by hand every other day. Eventually placed in the tunnel because it was cooler.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
The FBI says children told them that one of the mothers believed she was receiving messages from the angel Gabriel that she would translate.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
FBI says that the children said the corrupt institutions were educational institutions, law enforcement or banks.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
FBI has finished testifying. Prosecutors arguing that this family was on a violent and dangerous mission with future dangerous conduct. Describes them as anti-government as they ask judge to keep them detained until trial.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Very telling exchange between prosecutor and Judge. Judge says she hasn't heard anything about the condition of the children, which she expected to hear today.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Important note: Initially authorities said the children appeared to have been starving and filthy, dressed in rags. So far, unless I missed it, we have not heard that in court.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Defense now making the case that the rituals were faith healings. Says if these were white people of a christian faith with guns, it would be of no consequence. Judge asks, what about the child who was taken from family and died?
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Defense says they didn't hear a single fact about the child abuse charges. Says Siraj has a clean criminal history.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Defense says they didn't hear a single fact about the child abuse charges. Says Siraj has a clean criminal history.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Second defense attorney stands up and says her client wasn't really mentioned during the hearing. Says she has no criminal history and his a mother to an 8 year old daughter who is now in CYFD custody. Says she came to NM because a credible threat had been made to her family.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Attorney for Subhannah Wahhaj now saying her client was barely mentioned in the hearing. Says she is 7 months pregnant and there has been no evidence that she had anything to do with the firearms or training. Says state has failed to show her client is a threat.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Defense attorney for Jany Leveille says that during the raid- she told others to disarm and put their weapons down. Says she wasn't involved in the firearms training, but even if she did, it wasn't illegal. Says they have heard nothing to suggest she was abusive.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Prosecutors closing, saying a 13 year old and a 15 year old were talking about being trained in weapons tactics & getting rid of government institutions, a dead child, letters to others saying bring guns, etc. Says looking at the totality, suspects should be kept detained
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Judge has left the courtroom after saying she will make her decision and be back shortly.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 13, 2018
Judge says the defendants didn't have a criminal history. Says the state wants her to make a leap based on troubling facts, but she didn't hear a plan that was being made by the state.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 14, 2018
BREAKING: TAOS JUDGE allowing bond and conditions of release in the #NMCompound case- $20,000 + list of conditions. Says state failed to prove the defendants should remain in custody until trial. @NBCNews
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 14, 2018
BREAKING- Defense attorney says suspects will most likely be released from custody tomorrow. Unclear what will happen to Siraj Wahhaj who may have a fugitive warrant out of Georgia. #NMCompound @NBCNews
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 14, 2018
BREAKING: The suspects in the #NMCompound child abuse case will be released on a signature bond. THAT MEANS THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO POST ANY MONEY TO BE RELEASED.
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 14, 2018
If you need a quick refresher on some of the allegations and complexities of this case…. This walk through of the compound is a good place to start. #NMcompound 👇🏽https://t.co/E3wWiZWg2t pic.twitter.com/7anGeQmd89
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 14, 2018
Quick note on NM law… Burden is on prosecution to prove a defendant is so dangerous that no other condition of release, pre-trial, will reasonably protect public safety. State must prove by clear and convincing evidence. #NMCompound @NBCNews
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 14, 2018
States partial summary of proffered facts… This was the motion for today’s detention hearing with timeline. pic.twitter.com/tMduubmL9h
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 14, 2018
Some of the firearms with mounted scopes that were found at the compound pic.twitter.com/LYPdXfkmwU
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 14, 2018
Books listed as evidence by the state. pic.twitter.com/8reIEUklmp
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 14, 2018
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 14, 2018
The above was a letter to a family member encouraging them to join the compound
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) August 14, 2018
And Siraj Wahhaj has quite the list of admirers. Linda Sarsour has many kind words to say about Wahhaj. She also endorsed Abu El-Sayed for the Michgan Governorship, which he failed to clinch-thankfully. There are nearly 90 Muslim candidates running for office across the United States this year. Two of the most high profile along with Abdul El-Sayed include Ilhan Omar and Keith Ellison. Ilhan Omar is currently a Representative for the Democrat-Farmer-Labor Party in the Minnesota House of Representatives, and she is running for Congress to take over Keith Ellison’s seat in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District. Omar, who is a Muslim immigrant from Somalia, has a history of making anti-Jewish remarks and has been endorsed and supported by some of the nation’s most notorious Jew haters. Along with being pro-Hamas, Omar is also close friends with Sarsour. She was also endorsed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Check out coverage of this story on the Adrian Slade Show Podcast:
