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An imam and his student in the US have been jailed for decades for their role in a child grooming conspiracy.
Religious teacher Wisam Sharieff, 44, of Euless, Texas, was handed an 80-year prison sentence, followed by a life term of supervised release.
His student, Blake Miller Barakat, 50, of Shelby County, Alabama, was sentenced to 70 years behind bars, also followed by a life term of supervised release.
Sharieff was made to pay a $135,000 (£99,000) "special assessment" under the States' Amy, Vicky, and Andy Act (AVAA), which will go towards compensation payments for child abuse victims.
Bakarat, who also goes by "Hamna", was ordered to pay a further $30,000 (£22,000) fine.
In June last year, the duo pleaded guilty to a range of child sex offences.
The teacher admitted to conspiracy to engage in sexual exploitation of children, conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography, and sexual exploitation of children.
His student admitted to sexual exploitation of children, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
Religious teacher Wisam Sharieff was handed an 80-year prison sentence
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TALLADEGA COUNTY JAIL
Sharieff had used the title of imam in his job as an "online instructor" who taught followers how to recite verses of the Koran, Islam's holy book.
He claimed to have taught a network of more than 25,000 people around the world, including 50-year-old Barakat.
Court documents showed how the imam told his student that a person could improve their recitation and become "closer to Allah" through achieving sexual pleasure.
In October 2024, Sharieff and Barakat watched and shared pornographic videos with each other online, before influencing a seven-year-old child to watch these videos.
Blake Miller Barakat, who also goes by 'Hamna', was handed a 70-year jail term
|
SHELBY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Both defendants went on to coerce the young child to engage in "sexually explicit conduct" for the purpose of producing child pornography.
In a statement this week, US Attorney Prim F Escalona described the pair's crimes as "appalling".
"The defendants' crimes are among the most appalling of societal and criminal offenses," Ms Escalona said.
"This District will relentlessly pursue criminals that target children.
"I commend the dedicated collaboration of our law enforcement partners in Alabama and Texas in bringing these defendants to justice."
The FBI's Birmingham, Alabama, chief David R Fitzgibbons added: "The exploitation of children is an egregious crime that demands immediate and decisive law enforcement action.
"The FBI stands ready to exert maximum effort, with urgency and in lockstep with our partners, to protect children and hold these predators accountable."
Religious teacher Wisam Sharieff, 44, of Euless, Texas, was handed an 80-year prison sentence, followed by a life term of supervised release.
His student, Blake Miller Barakat, 50, of Shelby County, Alabama, was sentenced to 70 years behind bars, also followed by a life term of supervised release.
Sharieff was made to pay a $135,000 (£99,000) "special assessment" under the States' Amy, Vicky, and Andy Act (AVAA), which will go towards compensation payments for child abuse victims.
Bakarat, who also goes by "Hamna", was ordered to pay a further $30,000 (£22,000) fine.
In June last year, the duo pleaded guilty to a range of child sex offences.
The teacher admitted to conspiracy to engage in sexual exploitation of children, conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography, and sexual exploitation of children.
His student admitted to sexual exploitation of children, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
Religious teacher Wisam Sharieff was handed an 80-year prison sentence
|
TALLADEGA COUNTY JAIL
Sharieff had used the title of imam in his job as an "online instructor" who taught followers how to recite verses of the Koran, Islam's holy book.
He claimed to have taught a network of more than 25,000 people around the world, including 50-year-old Barakat.
Court documents showed how the imam told his student that a person could improve their recitation and become "closer to Allah" through achieving sexual pleasure.
In October 2024, Sharieff and Barakat watched and shared pornographic videos with each other online, before influencing a seven-year-old child to watch these videos.
Blake Miller Barakat, who also goes by 'Hamna', was handed a 70-year jail term
|
SHELBY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Both defendants went on to coerce the young child to engage in "sexually explicit conduct" for the purpose of producing child pornography.
In a statement this week, US Attorney Prim F Escalona described the pair's crimes as "appalling".
"The defendants' crimes are among the most appalling of societal and criminal offenses," Ms Escalona said.
"This District will relentlessly pursue criminals that target children.
"I commend the dedicated collaboration of our law enforcement partners in Alabama and Texas in bringing these defendants to justice."
The FBI's Birmingham, Alabama, chief David R Fitzgibbons added: "The exploitation of children is an egregious crime that demands immediate and decisive law enforcement action.
"The FBI stands ready to exert maximum effort, with urgency and in lockstep with our partners, to protect children and hold these predators accountable."
