Man Linked to Muslim Group Held in Va.
By Peter Whoriskey
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, September 30, 2001; Page A30
A man from the Roanoke area was being held in federal detention yesterday on weapons charges after prosecutors linked him in court to what they said was a violent black Muslim group known as Al-Fuqra.
Authorities arrested Vincente Rafael Pierre, 44, of Charlotte County, on Sept. 20, based on allegations that he had his wife buy guns for him. As a convicted felon, Pierre is forbidden by law from owning weapons. He was arrested at the Muslims of America compound in the rural Red House area of northern Charlotte County, in south-central Virginia.
Pierre's wife, Traci Upshur, also faces charges.
Taking the witness stand in U.S. District Court in Roanoke on Friday, Pierre strenuously objected to being linked to any terrorist alliances. His Muslim neighbors also denied that they were linked to terrorists.
"This is a phantom, nonexistent organization," Pierre said. "It's just a figment of someone's imagination due to their ignorance of the Arabic language or prejudice against Islam."
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Interesting rocks that can be turned over....