Posted on 11/28/2007 10:50:23 PM PST by STARWISE
Although admitting he wasn't "very effective" as a spy, a federal judge today sentenced a Des Plaines man to four years in prison for his role as an Iraqi "sleeper" secretly placed in Chicago for Saddam Hussein's spy service.
Sami Khoshaba Latchin, 61, was convicted by a federal jury in April. Latchin, who worked for American Airlines at O'Hare Airport, had lied about his intelligence links with the former government in Iraq and made false statements to U.S. immigration officials when he applied for naturalization in 1998.
Now Latchin faces deportation - which the federal government wants - and Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer said she will decide soon on what role she has in revoking his citizenship.
"Obviously, the loss of citizenship is a huge penalty to pay," Pallmeyer said during a hearing. Because the Hussein regime has fallen, she added, "There's essentially no possibility of any recidivism."
Before sentencing Latchin, Pallmeyer said the convicted spy failed to gather secrets on the people he was charged with spying on.
Nearly 25 family members and friends filled the courtroom to hear the verdict. One relative clutched a crucifix before the verdict was read.
(Excerpt) Read more at suntimes.com ...
One of Saddam’s spies ..PING!
Bump
Thank you STARWISE for the ping.
“One relative clutched a crucifix before the verdict was read.”
Presumably journalistic fabrication, but what a nice touch....
Airport huh?
Let's be very clear about this. If Latchin is a U.S. citizen, he's not a spy, he's a traitor. And treason is punishable by death.
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