Twenty-Nine Individuals Charged for Sex Trafficking of Juveniles

NASHVILLE, TN—Local, state, and federal law enforcement officers in Nashville, Tennessee and Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota began arresting 29 individuals this morning, after a federal indictment was unsealed listing a variety of charges, including sex trafficking of juveniles and conspiring to sex traffic juveniles, obstruction of justice, perjury, auto theft, and credit card fraud. The 24-count indictment was announced by Jerry E. Martin, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, at a press conference in Nashville.

Joining U.S. Attorney Martin in the announcement were John Morton, Director, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); Sarah Beth Pulliam, Special Agent in Charge (SAC), U.S. Secret Service, Nashville Field Office; Amy Hess, SAC, FBI Memphis Field Office; Mark Gwyn, Director, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI); Ken Reed, Assistant Chief, St. Paul Police Department; and Chief Steve Anderson of the Nashville Metropolitan Police Department.

The indictment results from an investigation that began in 2008 and alleges that the defendants are involved in or are associates of the gangs—the Somali Outlaws, the Somali Mafia, and the Lady Outlaws, all connected to one another.

“Trafficking children for sex is intolerable and the Department of Justice will aggressively enforce trafficking and other laws to eliminate these types of deplorable acts,” said U.S. Attorney Martin. “As shown here today, law enforcement agencies at every level will come together to bring the full force of justice to bear on individuals who choose to profit by victimizing innocent children.”

The indictment alleges that between 2000 and 2010, members and associates of the gangs transported underage Somali and African-American females from the Minneapolis area to Nashville for the purpose of having the females engage in sex acts for money and other items of value. The indictment alleges the females being used by the defendants for the sex trafficking included some it were 13 years of age and younger. The indictment also alleges the sexual assault of an 18-year-old female. The sex trafficking offenses carry a penalty of not less than 15 years to life in prison.

The indictment further charges that members and associates of the gangs conspired to obstruct the investigation and committed perjury during the course of testimony before the federal grand jury investigating the case. The indictment also alleges that members and associates of the gangs engaged in the stealing of a motor vehicle for the purpose of using it to engage in credit card fraud, with a loss to one credit card company in the amount of $231,000 in approximately a one-year period.

“Human traffickers abuse innocent people, undermine our public safety, and often use their illicit proceeds to fund sophisticated criminal organizations,” said ICE Director Morton. “ICE is committed to bringing these criminals to justice and rescuing their victims from a life in the shadows. We will continue to fight the battle to end human trafficking both here in the United States and around the globe.”

“Today’s arrests demonstrate the importance of cooperation between state, local and federal law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of organized crime,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Hess. “Criminal organizations are not limited by physical boundaries or state lines. The crimes of human trafficking, especially for the sex trade, and identity theft reach across our nation and directly, sometimes permanently, impact the lives of victims and their families. The FBI will continue to focus on the disruption and dismantlement of these organizations and bring them to justice.”

TBI Director Gwyn said, “This case is proof of how critical criminal intelligence support and analytical support is to an investigation. The information sharing and dedication by law enforcement agencies in this case is a testament to the lengths agencies will go to protect children.”

Those charged in the indictment are identified as:

Abdifitah Jama Adan, aka “Shorty” aka “Faleebo” aka “Kuzzo,” 28;

Abdullahi Sade Afyare aka “Forehead,”19;

Ahmad Abnulnasir Ahmad aka “Fabulous,”23;

Yahya Jamal Ahmed, 23;

Abdikarim Osman Ali, aka “Homer” aka “Big Abdi,” 22;

Musse Ahmed Ali aka “Fat Boy,” 23;

Hassan Ahmed Dahir aka “Mohamed Ali Hussein,” 21;

Fadumo Mohamed Farah aka “Naana Naana” aka “Gangster Boo” aka “Barnie,” 25;

Idris Ibrahim Fahra aka “Chi Town,” 22;

Yasin Ahmed Farah, 19;

Abdullahi Hashi aka “Kamal,” 24;

Fatah Haji Hashi aka “Jerry” aka “Jr,” 23;

Abdirahman Abdirazak Hersi aka “Biggie,” 20;

Muhiyadin Hassan Hussein aka “CD,” 22;

Dahir Nor Ibrahim aka “Dahir Lucky,” 38;

Abdifatah Bashir Jama aka “Cash Money” aka “Ohio,” 23;

Andrew Kayachith aka “AK,” 20;

Abdigadir Ahmed Khalif aka “Awali,” 24;

Bashir Yasin Mohamud aka “Br,” 26;

Mustafa Ahmed Mohamed, 22;

Fuad Faisal Nur aka “Hanjule,” 24;

Abdifatah Sharif Omar aka “British” aka “Pinky,” 25;

Liban Sharif Omar aka “Sunderra,” 21;

Mohamed Sharif Omar aka “Moe D” aka “Mojo,” 26;

Hamdi Ali Osman aka “Big Hamdi” aka “Boss Lady,” 22;

Haji Osman Salad aka “Hollywood,” 20;

Bibi Ahmed Said, 19;

Ahmed Aweys Sheik aka “Rear Hammer” aka “Abdul,” 24; and

Yassin Abdirahman Yusuf aka “Junior” aka “Black Cat Junior,” 21.

This case was investigated by the St. Paul Police Department, ICE- Homeland Security Investigation, the FBI, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, and the Minnesota Financial Crimes Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Van Vincent, of the Middle District of Tennessee.