Bessemer Woman Charged with Making False Statement to Federal Agents
BIRMINGHAM – Federal prosecutors today charged a Bessemer woman for lying to federal agents conducting a criminal investigation, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Maley.
In a one-count criminal information filed in U.S. District Court, the U.S. Attorney’s Office charged HADAM BENACHOU with making a false statement to special agents of the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. Benachou told agents that her husband, Saleem Abdul Rasheed, was not married to another woman, but she knew he had married Saida Mohamed Hussein, according to the information.
If convicted, BENACHOU, 30, faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Rasheed pleaded guilty March 19 to falsely claiming a woman as his wife on immigration forms, and to food stamp fraud. He is scheduled for sentencing in federal court July 12.
The FBI and Homeland Security investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael W. Whisonant Sr. is prosecuting the case.
###
Prisoner Re-entry
If you believe your organization has expertise or resources that could improve outcomes for ex-offenders re-entering society, please e-mail our Community Outreach Coordinator at Jeremy.Sherer@usdoj.gov
or call 205-244-2019.
The Office of U.S. Attorney
Joyce White Vance
Natural Disaster Fraud Hotline
Members of the public can report fraud, waste, abuse or allegations of mismanagement involving disaster relief operations through the Hotline, toll free, at (866) 720-5721 or the Disaster Fraud e-mail at disaster@leo.gov. Please see the News Release Justice Department Officials Raise Awareness of Disaster Fraud Hotline
