Free Republic

ALBANY - The prosecutor who sent two local Muslim men ensnared in an FBI terror sting to prison is on the short list for a federal judgeship. Many in the Capital District's growing Muslim community are outraged. Members of Albany's Muslim Solidarity Committee say they will do everything in their power to ensure Glenn Suddaby doesn't receive the nomination. The activists formed their group after the arrest and conviction of Mohammad Hossain, an Albany pizza shop owner, and Yassin Aref, an Albany imam. Despite grass roots opposition, Suddaby has at least one pretty big name supporter - U.S. Sen. Charles...

Candidate indicted in Stark Democrat John Johnson accused of sex crimes CANTON - Associated Press A candidate for state representative has been charged with sexual battery and two counts of sexual imposition in a secret indictment. John Johnson, 41, of Perry Township, is the Democratic candidate for the 50th District. His opponent is state Rep. John Hagan, R-Marlboro. Johnson was indicted and arrested Thursday on charges that he engaged in sexual conduct with a minor female between Jan. 1 and July 1, Stark County Prosecutor John Ferrero said Monday. Johnson was being held in Stark County Jail on $250,000 bond....

ALBANY -- The spiritual leader of an Albany mosque repeatedly called a phone number in Syria that an FBI report indicates had been used to gather terrorist intelligence for Osama bin Laden, according to classified documents unsealed late Tuesday in U.S. District Court. The FBI report, which was based on information from a confidential informant, was among several once-secret documents that federal authorities say raise questions about Yassin Aref's connections to terrorist organizations across the Middle East. Aref, 35, a Kurdish refugee who moved to Albany with his family in 1999, is in jail without bond while awaiting trial on...