East African man linked to extremist group sentenced in New York to 9 years jail

Published March 27, 2013

Associated Press

NEW YORK –  An East African man has been sentenced in New York to just over nine years in prison for conspiring to support terrorism by associating with a violent extremist group in Somalia.

Mohamed Ibrahim Ahmed was sentenced Wednesday in federal court to nine years and three months in prison. He had pleaded guilty in June.

Ahmed was detained in Nigeria in 2009 before being turned over to U.S. authorities. Prosecutors in New York had accused the Eritrean man of receiving explosives training, buying an assault rifle and raising money for al-Shabaab.

Al-Shabaab was designated by the United States as a terrorist group in 2008. Manhattan's top federal prosecutor said in a release that Ahmed traveled thousands of miles to align himself with al-Shabaab and aid their campaign of terror.

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Businessman to be sentenced in Zumba paid-sex case

Published March 21, 2013

Associated Press

PORTLAND, Maine –  An insurance agent accused of managing a Zumba fitness instructor's prostitution operation in Maine is due to be sentenced.

Mark Strong was convicted earlier this month of 12 counts of promoting prostitution and one count of conspiracy. Prosecutors are seeking a 364-day jail term while the defense is asking for no more than 14 days in jail. His sentencing is Thursday.

Prosecutors say they're seeking a sentence that warns that "this type of criminal enterprise is not tolerated in Maine." But the defense has stressed that Strong is a community leader, husband and father who poses no risk.

The 57-year-old Strong has acknowledged helping 30-year-old Alexis Wright open her Kennebunk dance studio. He says he loaned her money that was repaid with interest, and that he didn't profit from prostitution.

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