Monday, August 27, 2012

North Carolina Resident Daniel Patrick Boyd Sentenced for Terrorism Violations


NEW BERN, NC—United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court today, United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced Daniel Patrick Boyd, 42, a U.S. citizen and resident of North Carolina to 216 months’ imprisonment, followed by five years’ supervised release, and a $3,000 fine. “We must be ever vigilant in the pursuit of those who seek to destroy our way of life. This prosecution is evidence of our commitment to do so,” stated U.S. Attorney Thomas G. Walker.

Boyd pleaded guilty on February 9, 2011, to conspiring to provide material support to terrorists, Title 18, United States Code, Section 2339A; and conspiring to murder, kidnap, maim, and injure persons abroad, Title 18, United States Code, Section 956(a). ”Daniel Boyd recruited his own sons and others into conspiracies to murder persons abroad and provide material support to terrorism. Today, he is being held accountable for his actions. I thank all those responsible for this successful outcome,” said Lisa Monaco, Assistant Attorney General for National Security.

“People who are plotting to harm Americans are no longer a world away from us. Daniel Boyd led a group of extremists who chose to target innocent citizens in the U.S. and abroad. The Raleigh-Durham Joint Terrorism Task Force thwarted his plot and will keep pursuing those who threaten our society,” said Chris Briese, Special Agent In Charge of FBI Charlotte.

“The Defense Criminal Investigative Service was proud to partner with the Raleigh FBI JTTF to help bring Daniel Boyd and the Triangle terror group to justice,” commented DCIS Special Agent in Charge John F. Khin, Southeast Field Office. “Due to our ongoing commitment to protecting America’s warfighters both overseas and at home in America, these violent extremists can no longer harm military service members and their families. Today’s sentencing of these criminals is the result of many years of dedication, persistence, and collaboration by all the partners of the FBI JTTF.”

Boyd was first charged along with seven other defendants in a federal indictment returned on July 22, 2009. He was arrested on July 29, 2009, and the indictment was unsealed. On September 24, 2009, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment that added additional charges against Boyd and two of the other defendants.

According to the superseding indictment, during the period from 1989 through 1992, Boyd traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan where he received military-style training in terrorist training camps for the purpose of engaging in violent jihad. Following this training, according to the indictment, he fought in Afghanistan.

Also stated in the indictment is that from roughly November 2006 through at least July 2009, Boyd conspired with the other defendants to provide material support and resources to terrorists, including currency, training, transportation, and personnel. The defendants also conspired to murder, kidnap, maim, and injure persons abroad during this period. The object of the conspiracy, according to the indictment, was to advance violent jihad, including supporting and participating in terrorist activities abroad and committing acts of murder, kidnapping, or maiming persons abroad.

Ultimately, Boyd cooperated with the government, as noted by federal prosecutors during the sentencing hearing today. After pleading guilty to two counts of the superseding indictment in 2011, Boyd testified at trial against several of his co-conspirators who were convicted in October 2011.

The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Bowler of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina and Trial Attorney Jason Kellhofer of the Counterterrorism Section in the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Security Division.

News releases are available on the U.S. Attorney’s web page at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce within 48 hours of release.

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