2 men arrested in Roanoke; suspected of false identity [Remember the Dam Photographers?]

Roanoke Times ^

[AppyPappy]

2 men arrested in Roanoke; suspected of false identity

The FBI had been searching for the men after they were seen taking pictures of a dam in Tennessee.

By SHAWNA MORRISON THE ROANOKE TIMES

Two men who were wanted by the FBI for allegedly using false information to obtain Virginia driver's licenses were arrested in Roanoke on Monday.

One of the brothers had been seen taking pictures of a Tennessee dam early Sunday morning, raising the suspicion of authorities.

Ahmed Helmy Mostafa, also known as Ahmed Mohammed Elsakaan or Ahmed Mohammed Helmy Elsakaan, and an unidentified woman were spotted taking pictures of Norris Dam, a hydroelectric station about 20 miles north of Knoxville, between 4 and 5 a.m. Sunday. The pair was questioned by a Tennessee Valley Authority police officer, but they couldn't be detained because their actions were not illegal.

[Claire Voyant]

Patriot Act better be used here....FOLLOW THEM....TAP THEIR PHONES......terrorists in training.

[anniegetyourgun]

YEAH....two more down! Can we be any more glad that Gore didn't win that last election?

[gitmogrunt]

As Michael Savage would politely say, "throw the bastards out of my country NOW!!!".

[Conspiracy Guy]

I'm sure the pictures are just for a homework assignment or a collection of American Dam pictures or some other perfectly innocent thing. I wonder what f stop they were using. Was it a cloudy day or was it sunny in the area?

[johnny7]

The pair was questioned by a Tennessee Valley Authority police officer, but they couldn't be detained because their actions were not illegal.

This is a perfect example of LE not linked up on nationwide databases. The TVA police could have ended it right there.

[blackdog]

The day that a cop cannot detain you for anything seems to be something of a utopia. Cops brag about being able to make your life miserable if and when they feel like it, regardless of your activities.

What happened to the film container of pot? The gun found under your seat? Resisting arrest?

[Hatteras]

Those dam photographers. I just hate dam photographers...

[GailA]

It was 5 AM, PITCH BLACK, DARK out there I get up around 6 AM and it is still not light enough to take photos with out some good flash equipment and special film.

[GailA]

NCIC data base was DOWN. Idiots didn't do an INS check either.

[Robe]

Do ya think that during W.W.II, someone of German or Japanese decent would be let go after taking pictures of a hydroelectric Dam?...

[razorback-bert]

between 4 and 5 a.m.

Dam strange time to be taking travel photos.

I wonder if they were using infared film?

[Doc Savage]

Police should always have an unmarked .22 throw down!

[RaceBannon]

MAJOR DAM BUMP!!!

[Sacajaweau]

I've gotten to the point where if I want to photograph something that may cause concern, I find a policeman or security guy, give him an ID card, satisfy any of his concerns. I feel better, he feels better and I can take my time and do a good job.

[sneakypete]

An FBI statement said the men were wanted on charges of violating federal laws on "producing identification documents that affect interstate commerce." Those charges were filed against them in August in Richmond.

Getting a false ID is now a federal felony? This is a lot scarier than anything else in the story. Is there anything left now that ISN'T a federal felony? Can you all say,"Thank you Bubba-2 for the coming police state!"?

Maybe we can get some Bush-Bots to lead us all in a rousing chorus of "If you're happy and you know it,clank your chains!"?

[mewzilla]

Uh, it's a false ID. Yeah, that should be a felony.

[sneakypete]

Dam strange time to be taking travel photos.

It was a man and a woman. They were probably on a porno shoot for the blind. Yeah,it's a small market,but there's not much competition.

[Vigilantcitizen]

Water supply resevoirs and hydroelectric dams seem to be a big tourist attraction all of a sudden.

[AppyPappy]

If it is interstate, it's a federal matter.