America's most urgent crisis
When even Time magazine recognizes the crisis that is our immigration system in America you know the nation is at risk.
That's what happened this week as Time devotes its cover story to the illegal-immigration problem that is threatening to change the very character of our country as well as endangering its security.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=40431
Terrorism At the Southern Gates
http://www.insightmag.com/news/2004/09/06/National/Terrorism.At.The.Southern.Gates-711757.shtml
3 million illegals to U.S. this year
Borders more porous since 9-11, as thousands enter country daily
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=40417
NOTE: THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS AN EXACT QUOTE:
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http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nj/publicaffairs/NJ_Press/files/raja0910_r.htm
09-10-04 -- Raja, Manthena -- Guilty Plea -- News Release
Indian National Admits Transfer of Funds for Purchase of Shoulder-Fired Missile
NEWARK - An Indian national and businessman pleaded guilty today to his role in the transfer of $86,500 that was used as the payment on the sale of a shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missile, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.
Manthena Raja, 44, admitted before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden that he facilitated two cash transfers at the request of Hemant Lakhani, knowing that the transfers promoted an unlawful arms deal.
As part of a cooperating plea agreement, Raja pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Judge Hayden scheduled sentencing for Jan. 10.
Today marked Raja's first appearance in court. Raja admitted having known Lakhani for four years. In 2002, Raja said, Lakhani requested his assistance in connection with a transaction involving an individual based in New Jersey. Unbeknownst to both Lakhani and Raja, this person was cooperating with law enforcement officials.
Raja agreed to help Lakhani and received various documents by fax for him, from the Ukraine and elsewhere. He also faxed documents to the individual in New Jersey. For example, on May 16, 2002, at Lakhani's direction, Raja faxed a brochure featuring Russian manufactured shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles to New Jersey.
Raja also admitted facilitating two cash transfers at Lakhani's request. On Oct. 17, 2002, Raja helped arrange the transfer and receipt of about $30,000 from the United States to Lakhani in London. On March 4, 2003, Raja helped arrange a second transfer of $56,500. Raja admitted that he used a Swiss bank account he controlled for the second transfer.
Raja admitted that he understood both of these money transfers promoted an unlawful arms deal involving Lakhani's effort to sell missiles to the individual in New Jersey.
Lakhani was arrested on Aug. 12, 2003 and is awaiting trial scheduled for Nov. 3 on a five-count Indictment that charges him with attempting to provide material support to terrorists, unlawful brokering of an arms transaction, money laundering, and attempting to import merchandise into the United States by means of false statements.
The Indictment against Lakhani alleges that he brokered the initial purchase of one shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missile and was arranging for a subsequent purchase and sale of 50 more missiles. Court documents allege that Lakhani believed he was selling the arms to a Somali terrorist organization. Lakhani was captured in recorded conversations saying he supported use of the missiles for shooting down American commercial airliners.
Two other defendants, Yehuda Abraham and Moinudeen Ahmed Hameed, who were involved in money transfers related to the illegal missile deal, have pleaded guilty to charges of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.
The cases against Lakhani and Raja are being prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Christie and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stuart Rabner and Brian Howe. The international investigation has been assisted by law enforcement authorities in Russia and is the product of New Jersey's Joint Terrorism Task Force, particularly agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Secret Service at the Department of Homeland Security, and the Defense Intelligence Agency.
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Defense counsel for Raja:
Paul B. Brickfield, Esq., River Edge, New Jersey
Paul M. Roche, Solicitor, London, England