Friday, May 20, 2005

Former Metro security screener guilty of lying

Jury convicts the Dearborn ex-airman over false statements on job application.

By David Shepardson / The Detroit News

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DEARBORN -- A former screener at Detroit Metropolitan Airport was convicted Thursday of lying on a federal background questionnaire when he failed to disclose he lost his security clearance and left the Air Force under unfavorable circumstances.

Jurors deliberated about four hours before convicting Sadeq Naji Ahmed, 25, of Dearborn of two felony counts of making false statements to a government agency, which is punishable by up to five years prison on each count.

U.S. Attorney Stephen Murphy III said the conviction "demonstrates my office's commitment to aggressively prosecute any individuals who knowingly make false statements in conjunction with their federal employment."

"Every traveler through Detroit Metropolitan Airport should feel confident that the government is taking steps to ensure that all federal employees in charge of security are held to higher standards."

Ahmed, who remains free on bond pending sentencing Aug. 22, worked for a private company as an airport screener before applying in October 2002 for a similar job with the Transportation Security Agency. In applying, he filled out a job application, saying he had never had his security clearance revoked and never left a job under unfavorable circumstances, the government charged.

Ahmed's security clearance was revoked and he was forced to leave the Air Force on Sept. 28, 2001 -- two months ahead of schedule -- after co-workers accused him of repeatedly making statements in support of Osama bin Laden.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cathleen Corken said Ahmed made pro-bin Laden statements to co-workers and kept a picture of bin Laden on his Air Force computer.

Those statements "called into question his loyalty to the United States," Corken said.

Ahmed reportedly praised the September 11 attacks "as brilliantly executed" -- while in uniform and watching the events unfold from an Air Force lounge at a Florida base.

He also allegedly wrote a March 2001 document that said the United States "was the terrorist" and called bin Laden "a righteous holy man."

William Swor, an attorney for Ahmed, said his client was repeatedly promoted and decorated, despite the allegations of pro-bin Laden statements.

Ahmed was not prosecuted by military authorities for any statement. He received excellent reviews and got an honorable discharge, Swor said.

"Sadeq Ahmed did not lie," Swor said. He claimed the U.S. government is persecuting Ahmed because he exercised his First Amendment rights to speak out about American foreign policy -- and did nothing disloyal. .

Ahmed was a senior airman assigned to Eglin Air Force base's 33rd Fighter Wing as a database analyst when he was accused of speaking out in support of bin Laden.

Authorities charged that Ahmed said if the United States attacked an Islamic country, he would have to quit the military and fight for "my country" -- an apparent reference to his native Yemen.

Ahmed reportedly added: "If you are on the side of the United States, it would be my duty to kill you," a former co-worker testified.

You can reach David Shepardson at (313) 222-2028 or dshepardson@detnews.com.