Iraqi pleads guilty in Nashville weapons buying case

Ahmed Hassan Al-Uqaily, 34, was arrested in October during a sting operation prompted by the man’s alleged threat about “going jihad” against the United States, investigators said. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force said Al-Uqaily paid $1,000 for two disassembled machine guns, four disassembled hand grenades and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

“While (the weapons) were slightly disabled, they could have been easily enabled,” U.S Attorney Jim Vines said following the plea hearing.

Al-Uqaily pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Robert Echols to illegal possession of weapons and possession of unregistered firearms.

Prosecutors said Al-Uqaily had indicated in talks with federal agents that he was also interested in purchasing a missile-type weapon capable of blowing up a tank. He also told agents he intended to use the weapons he acquired for “local intentions.”

“In talking with agents, he had talked about some local Jewish facilities,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Richardson said. “Beyond that he neglected to say what his intentions were.”

Defense attorney David Baker declined to comment on the case.

During the hearing, Richardson recommended a 57-month prison sentence. He said Al-Uqaily has agreed to be deported to Iraq after he is released from prison and will forfeit $38,000 from a U.S. bank account.

Al-Uqaily could have faced up to 10 years in prison on each charge.

The money forfeiture was part of a civil settlement between Al-Uqaily and the federal government. Al-Uqaily will retain $5,000 to be used as he “reintegrates into society” after serving his prison sentence, Richardson said.

“The government’s claim was that the account was used in the act of international terrorism,” he said.

Al-Uqaily has been in custody since his arrest. He was brought into court in a yellow jumpsuit shackled at the wrists and ankles, but the handcuffs were removed for the hearing.

Authorities began investigating Al-Uqaily after receiving a tip from an informant that he was trying to buy weapons.

“This was an example of when a citizen came to law enforcement and said, ‘I’ve seen something I don’t like the looks of,'” Vines said. “We love it when that happens.”

Al-Uqaily came to the United States about 10 years ago and has worked for several bakeries, including Donelson Food Co., Charpier’s Bakery and Krispy Kreme.

Sentencing was scheduled for Oct. 24, but Baker asked that the hearing be moved up if possible.