RAPID CITY, SD—Abdul Waheed Mohammed, 31, an illegal immigrant who entered the U.S. via Chicago in 2019, was arrested by law enforcement in September following an investigation into a fraudulent enterprise targeting senior citizens. At least one individual was scammed out of more than $100,000 in gold and currency.
According to KEVN, Mohammed was arrested for impersonating a law enforcement officer and demanding money to dispense with fictitious warrants. In November, he was charged with aiding/abetting grand theft and conspiracy to commit grand theft and pleaded not guilty.
Lieutenant Paul Stevens of the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office cautioned the public, "Law enforcement agencies are not going to ask you to give money or gift cards, or in this recent case, gold, as payment for warrants. That’s just not what’s going to happen. As soon as you hear that, realize there’s a problem, hang up, call the law enforcement agencies directly, and ask to speak to somebody about it."
The outlet noted that if found guilty of both charges, Mohammed could be facing up to 40 years in prison or an $80,000 fine.
In a statement posted to Instagram, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office wrote that the arrest was made in concert with the South Dakota Highway Patrol and South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. and Homeland Security Investigations.
The Rapid City Journal reported that at the time of Mohammad's arrest, Lt. Stevens told reporters, “Due to the unfortunate frequency and predatory nature of these crimes, this is an important arrest. Our investigative team is happy we were able to stop further losses from this victim and make this arrest."
KOTA noted in its reporting that Judge Robert Gusinsky denied Mohammed's bond due to him not having any ties to the Rapid City area, having formerly lived in New Jersey. The court also considered him to be a flight risk.
The Daily Caller News Foundation conducted a follow-up report and learned that Mohammed entered the U.S. in December 2019 and was released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on parole in February 2020 according to the agency. An ICE spokesperson told the DCNF, "Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement make enforcement decisions on a case-by-case basis in a professional and responsible manner, informed by their experience as law enforcement officials and in a way that best protects against the greatest threats to the homeland."
Mohammed is being held at the Pennington County Jail in Rapid City and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations placed a detainer on him on January 5th to take him into Federal Custody for adjudication of his immigration charges. His immigration hearing is set for January 23rd.
According to KEVN, Mohammed was arrested for impersonating a law enforcement officer and demanding money to dispense with fictitious warrants. In November, he was charged with aiding/abetting grand theft and conspiracy to commit grand theft and pleaded not guilty.
Lieutenant Paul Stevens of the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office cautioned the public, "Law enforcement agencies are not going to ask you to give money or gift cards, or in this recent case, gold, as payment for warrants. That’s just not what’s going to happen. As soon as you hear that, realize there’s a problem, hang up, call the law enforcement agencies directly, and ask to speak to somebody about it."
The outlet noted that if found guilty of both charges, Mohammed could be facing up to 40 years in prison or an $80,000 fine.
In a statement posted to Instagram, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office wrote that the arrest was made in concert with the South Dakota Highway Patrol and South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. and Homeland Security Investigations.
The Rapid City Journal reported that at the time of Mohammad's arrest, Lt. Stevens told reporters, “Due to the unfortunate frequency and predatory nature of these crimes, this is an important arrest. Our investigative team is happy we were able to stop further losses from this victim and make this arrest."
KOTA noted in its reporting that Judge Robert Gusinsky denied Mohammed's bond due to him not having any ties to the Rapid City area, having formerly lived in New Jersey. The court also considered him to be a flight risk.
The Daily Caller News Foundation conducted a follow-up report and learned that Mohammed entered the U.S. in December 2019 and was released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on parole in February 2020 according to the agency. An ICE spokesperson told the DCNF, "Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement make enforcement decisions on a case-by-case basis in a professional and responsible manner, informed by their experience as law enforcement officials and in a way that best protects against the greatest threats to the homeland."
Mohammed is being held at the Pennington County Jail in Rapid City and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations placed a detainer on him on January 5th to take him into Federal Custody for adjudication of his immigration charges. His immigration hearing is set for January 23rd.
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The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments
2024-01-22T10:39-0500 | Comment by: Kent
Stupid..How about deportation or 20 years of hard labor.. Disgusting
2024-01-23T08:31-0500 | Comment by: Frank
Let me get this straight. He stole $100,000 and if found guilty he faces 40 years OR an $80,000 fine. So he he makes $20,000 and the seniors get screwed?
2024-01-23T08:32-0500 | Comment by: Frank
Let me get this straight. He stole $100,000 and if found guilty he faces 40 years OR an $80,000 fine. So he he makes $20,000 and the seniors get screwed?
2024-01-23T08:32-0500 | Comment by: Frank
Let me get this straight. He stole $100,000 and if found guilty he faces 40 years OR an $80,000 fine. So he he makes $20,000 and the seniors get screwed?
2024-01-23T08:47-0500 | Comment by: Judy
Deportation is the most logical solution after they pay for their crime.