Alleged Supporter of Terrorist Group Extradited from Paraguay

PHILADELPHIA—Moussa Ali Hamdan, 38, a dual citizen of the United States and Lebanon and a former resident of Brooklyn, New York, made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia today after being extradited from Paraguay. He is being held pending a detention hearing. Hamdan is among several defendants charged in a conspiracy to provide material support to Hizballah, a designated foreign terrorist organization. He was indicted November 24, 2009, along with nine co-defendants. Hamdan was taken into U.S. custody in Asuncion, Paraguay, on Thursday, by U.S. Marshals who escorted him to Washington, D.C., where members of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force took him into custody.

At the time of the indictment, Hamdan had left the United States. On June 15, 2010, Paraguayan authorities arrested him in the Tri-Border Area (TBA) of Paraguay for the crime of material support of terrorism.

Hamdan is charged in 28 of the 31 counts in the indictment, including conspiring to provide material support to Hizballah in the form of proceeds from the sale of counterfeit money, stolen (genuine) money, and fraudulent passports. According to the indictment, Hamdan and several other defendants were also charged with several counts of transporting stolen goods, trafficking in counterfeit goods, and making false statements to government officials.

According to a related criminal complaint Hamdan began purchasing purportedly stolen cellular telephones from a cooperating witness acting as an agent of the government and participated in the purchase and transportation of purportedly stolen goods on numerous occasions. These stolen goods included cellular telephones, laptop computers, Sony Play Station 2 systems, and automobiles, which the conspirators caused to be transported to destinations outside Pennsylvania, including overseas destinations such as Lebanon and Benin (Africa). Hamdan also allegedly bought counterfeit goods—namely, counterfeit Nike® shoes and Mitchell & Ness® sports jerseys—from the cooperating witness. The complaint details efforts by defendants Moussa Ali Hamdan and his co-defendants to sell the CW counterfeit United States currency for the purpose of raising funds for Hizballah. In total, the conspirators provided the CW with approximately $10,000 in counterfeit United States currency. The complaint also alleges that certain of Hamdan’s co-defendants generated additional funds for Hizballah by selling fraudulent passports. The CW and the defendants participated in the purchase of two fake passports—one from the United Kingdom and one from Canada—for the benefit of Hizballah. Hamdan allegedly agreed to pay $10,000 towards the purchase of these passports, in order to satisfy a debt he owed to the CW.

If convicted of all charges, Hamdan faces a statutory maximum sentence of 260 years in prison.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the New Jersey State Police, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, the United States Secret Service, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Philadelphia Police Department, Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Air Marshals, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Philadelphia Police Department.

It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nancy Beam Winter and Vineet Gauri, and National Security Division Counterterrorism Section Trial Attorney Jolie F. Zimmerman.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to extend special thanks to the Paraguayan judicial and law enforcement authorities, including the U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay, for their invaluable assistance in the arrest and subsequent extradition of Hamdan, as well as the Office of International Affairs and U.S. Embassy, Asuncion, Diplomatic Security personnel who were involved in ensuring Hamdan’s capture and return to the United States.

Public Safety Technology in the News

Editor's Note: Many of the technologies in the following stories are used by federal, state and local agencies in their counterterrorism and/or homeland security missions.

Safe Return: Sheriff Buys Tracking Devices
Montrose Daily Press, (02/07/2008), Katharhynn Heidelberg

The Colorado Department of Criminal Justice has provided a $10,000 grant for the implementation of the Project Lifesaver program through the Montrose County Sheriff's Office. Project Lifesaver uses transmitter and receiver devices to track individuals with autism, Alzheimer's, and other forms of dementia who may be at-risk for wandering away from their caretakers. Each transmitter has its own unique code and is worn as a bracelet on an individual's wrist. This allows search teams to use a receiver designed to pick up the transmitter's broadcast signal. This technology may aid future missing person searches by shortening the time and reducing the number of personnel needed to locate a missing person.
www.montrosepress.com/articles/2008/02/07/news/doc47abc1fc203c6967636686.txt

New Flashlight Developed as Law Enforcement Weapon
WJZ Baltimore, (02/21/2008), Derek Valcourt

The Department of Homeland Security has provided Intelligent Optical Systems Inc. with $800,000 to develop a less-than-lethal weapon called the LED Incapacitator. The LED Incapacitator is a strobe light that flashes multicolored light at specific and varying frequencies. When aimed at the eyes of a suspect, it causes temporary disorientation and blindness, thereby incapacitating the suspect. Testing of this device is expected to begin shortly and, pending successful results, the LED Incapacitator will be available in the fall of 2008. wjz.com/specialreports/flashlight.led.incapacitator.2.657839.html

More Than a Computer Game, It's a Training Tool
The Philadelphia Inquirer, (02/08/08), Andrew Maykuth

The 6,600 veteran members of the Philadelphia Police Department, as well as recruits at the training academy in Northeast Philadelphia, use the Firearms Training Simulator (FATS) to assist officers in making the best decision under various circumstances. Based on the scenario presented, officers and recruits can go through a life-threatening simulation in complete safety, and at the conclusion review the event with the instructor to understand what was done right or wrong during the scenario. The simulator, purchased in 2005 at the cost of $125,000.00, contains 200 scenarios that range from knife-carrying suspects to flustered motorists that have accidentally backed into a police cruiser. The simulator can also be used for analysis of an incident involving an officer discharging his or her weapon.
www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080208_More_than_a_computer_game__its_a_training_tool_.html

LoJack and Becker Avionics Establish Technology Licensing Agreement
The Earth Times, (02/25/08)

LoJack Corporation, with 20 years experience in stolen vehicle recovery, and Becker Avionics, Inc., which manufactures communications, navigation, surveillance, and search and rescue equipment for various applications, have entered into a technology licensing agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Becker's radio directions equipment currently used by law enforcement for search and rescue will also have LoJack's technology to assist in locating stolen vehicles equipped with the LoJack transponder. LoJack's software will be incorporated into Becker's SAR-DF 517 radio direction finder, as well as the RT500M and 300 land and sea direction finder. These systems are available immediately through Becker and upgrades are available for agencies that have the models mentioned above.
www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/lojack-and-becker-avionics-establish-technology-licensing-agreement,290697.shtml

Facial Recognition Technology: From Battlefield to Classroom
The Spectrum, (02/21/08), Patrice St. Germain

During a luncheon with the St. George (Utah) Chamber, Mike Grimes, vice president of emerging technologies for Cross Match Technologies, spoke about the company's facial recognition software. He explained that the software is in place in Iraq, as well as in the Metro Nashville Public School District. The system adds further security to schools by allowing users to have the ability to add pictures of suspended students, noncustodial guardians, and sexual predators. If a person appears at the school and is on the "do not admit" list, the program alerts the system monitor to the situation so that staff can respond accordingly.
www.thespectrum.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080221/BUSINESS/802210310

Measure Would Change How Tickets are Processed
Charleston Daily Mail, (02/12/08), Associated Press

A bill is being considered in the West Virginia State Legislature that would allow traffic tickets given by state police to state residents to be handled online without requiring a signature. This change would allow officers to use a computer process that would generate an electronic citation for the magistrate of courts and the department of motor vehicles. State police currently have the electronic forms in place to handle accidents; however, additional measures to upgrade the system to allow for electronic signatures is too costly. Signatures would still be required for out-of-state travelers cited for a traffic violation.
www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/200802120148

New Communications System Will Be Installed
Cleburne Times-Review, (02/13/08), Matt Smith

The police and fire department in Cleburne, Texas, received authorization to spend up to $486,455 to update their communications equipment. This upgrade should cover updates and/or replacement of software and hardware that will add computer-aided dispatch along with other services for both agencies. Installed in 1999, the current system is no longer supported or updated by the manufacturer. The city agencies are fearful that with the current system it is only a matter of time before it fails, and they are hopeful that the new system will last 10 years.
www.cleburnetimesreview.com/local/local_story_044171725.html

Red-Light Cameras Saving Lives, Police Say
Knoxville News Sentinel, (02/15/2008), Don Jacobs

The use of 15 red-light cameras at various intersections in Knoxville, Tennessee, saved lives in 2007 by reducing vehicle accidents by 18 percent, according to police. The first of the cameras were installed in April 2006 after the city signed a 3-year contract with Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc. According to the plan, violations caught by the cameras are treated as civil violations, like parking tickets, and do not get placed on the motorist's driving record. The motorist is fined $50. The revenue generated by the cameras nets the city 15 percent-up to $4,500 per camera per month. Anything above the $4,500 is then split evenly with Redflex. In 2007 the system generated $955,013.70, which is up $737,033.21 from the 2006 total. Redflex owns the system and is responsible for maintenance of the equipment, as well as sending recording of the infractions to the police department. Staff at the department examine the footage and determine if a violation is warranted.
www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/feb/15/red-light-cameras-saving-lives-police-say/

New Tool for Police is a Blast of Sound
The Mercury News, (02/25/08), Sean Webby

The San Jose Police Department purchased a $27,000 Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) to ensure that officers' verbal commands are clearly heard over a great distance. The hope is to prevent instances of suspects within a large, rowdy crowd being arrested, only to indicate they never heard the command to disperse. However, the police department can also include this device as part of its less-lethal arsenal. The device was invented for use by the military after the USS Cole incident in 2000, and has grown in legend since it was used in 2005 by the captain of the Seabourn Sprit to repel pirates. The device is capable of emitting a 150-decibel wave that can inflict nausea, pain, and disorientation on its target. For the law enforcement community, this sort of tool could be used to help safely end a hostage or barricade scenario.
www.mercurynews.com/ci_8357237?source=most_emailed&nclick_check=1

Fresno, California Deploys Alcatel-Lucent Solution for Advanced Public Safety Communications
Sys-Con Media, (02/25/08)

The city of Fresno, one of the largest cities in California with a population of about 500,000, has worked with Alcatel-Lucent to establish an advanced public safety network. The solution chosen for Fresno involves an IP multiservice platform, digital microwave transmission, and capabilities that allow for converged voice-data traffic, interoperability, and reliability of the crucial communications network. With this network in place, Fresno's police, fire, and rescue services will be better suited to meet the needs of the community
www.sys-con.com/read/506361.htm

Avistar and EVS Collaborate to Equip Emergency Service Vehicles With Mobile Videoconferencing
CNNMoney.com, (02/21/08), PRNewswire-FirstCall

Avistar Communications Corporation, in collaboration with Emergency Vehicle Solutions, Inc., has begun a project to implement Avistar C3 videoconferencing technology in a police, fire, EMS, and other special service vehicles. The project is an effort to help support overall coordination by shortening reaction time and improving reporting capabilities among all groups involved in an emergency response. The system being set up in the vehicles would include mobile computers running Avistar C3 software, with high-resolution webcams and wireless connectivity. At an open house on March 18, EVS plans to demonstrate this technology and obtain feedback from personnel who will be using the equipment so the company can improve capabilities.
money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/NYTH07421022008-1.htm

Public Safety Technology in the News

Editor's Note: A number of these technologies are used for counterterrorism and domestic homeland security.


Study Shows Tasers to be Relatively Harmless
The Post (10/22/07), Alivia Nuzzo

A study examining instances of Taser® use by law enforcement at six agencies supports the use of the electro-muscular discharge units as a less-lethal alternative for law enforcement. Research data for the study, which was funded by the U.S. Department of Justice and conducted by Wake Forest University's School of Medicine, was gathered from criminal suspects' reports regarding use of Tasers®. Of the almost 1,000 subjects, 99.7% had little or no injuries. Death occurred in two instances, but it was later determined that the deaths were unrelated to the use of Tasers®.
www.thepost.ohiou.edu/Articles/News/2007/10/22/21838/

New 911 System Can Trace Cell Calls
Daily News Transcript (10/22/07), Keith Ferguson

The Walpole (Massachusetts) Police Department has taken advantage of Vestas Pallas, a new 911 system that reports cell phone numbers to dispatchers and provides dispatchers with the ability to trace cell phone calls to detailed locations on a computer-generated map. In the past, cell phone call location and phone number information were difficult to acquire. The system takes advantage of the GPS feature that's on most new phones to obtain location and phone number information. However, if the cell phone is older and doesn't have a GPS feature, the system initially will indicate the nearest cell tower and zero in on a more precise location as the call continues.
www.dailynewstranscript.com/homepage/x857473994

Townwide Alert Helps Police Find Missing
nashuatelegraph.com, an edition of "The Telegraph," (Nashua, NH). (10/22/07), Hattie Bernstein

Lt. James Sartell has 10 years on the Hollis, New Hampshire, police force, and has always been concerned about children and elderly citizens going missing, especially in the fall and winter months when temperatures dip down quickly. Recently an elderly man called the department after his wife did not return from an afternoon walk. The department took this opportunity to contact the toll-free national hotline for "A Child is Missing" alert system, which the town subscribes to free of charge, and within a minute the service telephoned 1,000 residents in the area near where the woman had last been seen. Roughly 490 of those calls were answered, and citizens received an automated message regarding the situation. Some of those citizens also volunteered to assist police with the search. These efforts resulted in the missing woman being found in about 2 hours.
www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071022/NEWS01/310220058/-1/news

SUU Issues First E-Mail Safety Notice
SUUjournal.com (11/12/07), Josh Smith

The Southern Utah University (SUU) Department of Public Safety recently issued its first-ever campuswide e-mail alert. The alert included a mug shot and information about a gentleman "considered by Public Safety to be a threat" and requested that people alert the department if they saw him on the campus. Previous efforts would have required public safety officials to post signs throughout campus. With this new system, notification is instant and provides the capability to send notifications to everyone on the SUU system. Other future technology projects include electronic locks on exterior doors, digital signage, comprehensive video surveillance, and an emergency siren system.
media.www.suujournal.com/media/storage/paper951/news/2007/11/12/News/Suu-Issues.First.EMail.Safety.Notice-3092965.shtml

Minneapolis Wins Award for New High-Tech Emergency Dispatch System
Government Technology (11/8/07), News Report

Minneapolis' new cutting-edge computer aided dispatch (CAD) system, which will improve how police and fire and rescue units respond to emergency situations, was awarded top technology honors at the 8th annual Tekne Awards. These awards acknowledge organizations and individuals that have a positive impact on the technology-based economy of Minnesota. The award-winning system went into service in March 2007. It provides first responders and 911 dispatchers with new ways to respond faster and smarter to emergency situations by making more detailed information available to them. This new system was paid for using U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant funds, and was developed by TriTech, Inc. of San Diego.
www.govtech.com/gt/174473?topic=117699

Device Will Put Crooks at Cops' Fingertips
WTOP Radio (11/14/07), Hank Silverberg

Technology designed to correctly identify criminals who have given false information regarding their identity will be implemented by Fairfax County, Virginia. The county will be the first in the nation to use a handheld device that will allow police officers to instantaneously identify a person who has been arrested either by using fingerprints or a digital photo. The information captured will be cross-referenced against information contained in a database of criminal records, and in the future this system may connect to a national database of criminal records. Fairfax County is expected to have 50 of the units, which have been paid for using U.S. Department of Homeland Security funding. Several surrounding jurisdictions hope to obtain similar devices as well.
www.wtopnews.com/?nid=600&sid=1291897

Local FBI Rolls Out Online Sharing Network
The Gazette (11/6/07), Alicia Ebaugh

In terms of information sharing between local and State law enforcement Iowa is "far ahead," according to an FBI official, but taking advantage of an FBI site will only serve to make that communication better. On October 6, officers from across Iowa got their first look at the FBI's Law Enforcement Online information sharing network. This network assists all levels of agencies in sharing information nationwide. The FBI's system has been operational since 1995 and the agency is still working to get thousands of local, county, and State agencies involved by providing trainings to organizations nationwide. Law Enforcement Online gives officials a secure, encrypted location in which to put crime information so they can seek out information from other jurisdictions or make information available to other agencies. Access to Law Enforcement Online is granted using an FBI background check process.
www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071106/NEWS/711060036/1006/news

FBI Harnesses Power of "On Demand" From Comcast to Track Criminals, Find Missing Persons, Make Communities Safer
CNNMoney.com (11/1/07), PR Newswire

The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has found a valuable tool in using the ON DEMAND technology that Comcast uses for cable service. "Police Blotter ON DEMAND" is a community-oriented video on-demand service that was launched in the Philadelphia area last December. Recently a Comcast customer, after seeing the profile of a wanted bank robber, contacted the FBI with a tip that led to an arrest. This service provides law enforcement with another tool to reach out to the public for assistance. The features the service provides, such as pause and rewind, can assist customers in seeing details and making connections that might otherwise be lost. Police Blotter ON DEMAND is regularly updated with video profiles for bank robbers, missing persons, and individuals from the Philadelphia Police Department's most wanted files. The offering is available free of charge to customers on the Comcast system.
money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/NEM04312112007-1.htm