Woman Admits Aiding Terrorists

San Diego resident Nima Yusuf sent money to al-Shabaab in Somalia and then lied about it

A San Diego woman has admitted she gave money to a foreign terrorist organization in Somalia and then lied to federal investigators about it. 

Nima Yusuf, 25, pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to providing approximately $1,450 to al-Shabaab between February and November 2010.

Yusuf also made false statements when she denied sending the money in interviews with an FBI agent and Customs and Border Protection officer.    

As part of her guilty plea, Yusuf admitted to working with four men currently accused of supporting the same organization.

Mohamed Abdullahi Hassan, Abdisalan Hussein Ali, Cabdulaahi Ahmed Faarax and Abdiweili Yassin Isse are being charged separately under a grand jury indictment in Minnesota.

Yusuf (aka Nimco Ali Yusuf, Amina Ahmed and Amina Ali), was the fourth person charged in San Diego with helping al-Shabaab.
      
FBI agents arrested Basaaly Saeed Moalin, 33, of San Diego on Oct. 31, 2010 just before he was about to board a flight at Lindbergh Field.

The following day, agents arrested Mohamed Mohamed Mohamud, 38, and Issa Doreh, 54, both of San Diego.

Yusuf's next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 10, 2012. She remains held without bail pending sentencing.

She faces a potential maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Al-Shabaab is an al-Qaida-linked militia trying to create an Islamic state in Somalia and has used violence and intimidation to further its cause.

Contact Us