Repeat Firearms Offender Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

ANCHORAGE, AK—United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that Sabil Mumin Mujahid, a resident of Anchorage, Alaska, was sentenced in federal court in Anchorage to 120 months’ imprisonment after a jury convicted him of being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

United States District Court Judge Timothy M. Burgess imposed the sentence on Mujahid, age 53. Following completion of his sentence of imprisonment, Mujahid must serve a three-year period on federal supervised release.

Mujahid remains charged in a separate federal case, United States v. Mujahid, et al., Case No. 3:09-CR-00053-TMB, with 35 additional felonies, including sex trafficking of children and sex trafficking through force, fraud, or coercion. That trial is scheduled for February 2011.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Sayers-Fay, who prosecuted the felon in possession case, at trial, the United States proved that on March 5, 2009, surveillance officers observed Mujahid retrieve a white plastic grocery bag from a storage locker adjacent to his apartment building and proceed to lock it in the trunk of his car. Shortly after, during a search of that car, law enforcement officers discovered that the white plastic grocery bag contained a Smith & Wesson .44 magnum revolver and 25 rounds of ammunition for the same. During incarceration, Mujahid made recorded calls in which he admitted possessing a .44 caliber revolver as well as two other handguns. Mujahid is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to prior felony convictions for attempted murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and misconduct involving a controlled substance.

Judge Burgess explained that his decision to impose the maximum sentence permitted by statute was influenced by Mujahid’s criminal history, Mujahid’s perjury at trial, and Mujahid’s attempt to obstruct justice by destroying fingerprints and directing others to destroy fingerprints. Judge Burgess further noted that Mujahid’s own words demonstrate his awareness of the legal ramifications of his acts and his dedication to evading responsibility for them. Judge Burgess characterized Mujahid as a persistent danger to society because previous incarcerations have left him "completely undeterred." The judge also noted that Mujahid remains a danger to society because he is "bound and determined to live life as he sees fit," entirely unencumbered by the rules of society, which he knows but refuses to respect.

Ms. Loeffler commended the Anchorage Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Mujahid.