Collin County Couple Sentenced for Lying to Federal Agents

PLANO, Texas –  A Plano, Texas couple has been sentenced to federal prison for making false statements to federal agents in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Alan R. Jackson.

Mohommad Ali, 57, and his wife, Sumaiya Ali, 49, pleaded guilty on Dec. 13, 2017 to making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding international terrorism.   Mohommad Ali was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone, while Sumaiya Ali was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

According to information presented in court, in 2014 and 2015 the Alis were in communication with their sons whom the Alis knew were in Syria fighting for ISIS.  In May 2015, the Alis were questioned by agents with the FBI about their sons' whereabouts.  The Alis denied any knowledge that their sons were in Syria or that their sons were associated with ISIS. 

"There is an object lesson here," said U.S. Attorney Alan R. Jackson.  "We will remain vigilant against those who support terrorism and those who attempt to shield supporters of terrorism from scrutiny." 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas and the Counterterrorism Section of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.