GUILTY NM - 11 children found in "filthy" compound with little food, training to commit terrorism, Taos, Aug 2018

[Niner]

Well finally sometime on this case!

Defendant in terrorism case found incompetent to stand trial

August 10, 2020

One of the defendants in a terrorism case out of Taos County has been deemed incompetent to stand trial.

Lucas Morton, 42, will now undergo treatment to attempt to gain competency, according to court documents.
[.....]
According to an order filed last week by federal Judge William P. Johnson, Morton’s attorneys filed a motion in January to determine Morton’s competency. In February, the motion was granted and Morton was referred to the Bureau of Prisons for a competency evaluation.

In May Dr. Jessica Micono filed a report that says Morton suffers from a disorder that “significantly impairs his present ability to understand the nature and consequences of the court proceedings against him,” and determined he was incompetent to stand trial, the order says.

Micono recommended that Morton be committed to a federal medical center for restoration of competence and that his prognosis for restoration “appears to be positive.”

“Therefore, the Court hereby finds Defendant Lucas Morton incompetent and (is) committing him to the custody of the Attorney General for placement in a suitable facility,” Johnson wrote.



and of course nothing on the other four....

 

[Niner]

Here's a good article on "where" the case stands.

2nd suspect hospitalized in case where child's remains found

 

[Niner]

Okay - finally some movement on this case!

New Mexico terror trial in limbo years after compound raid

March 10, 2022

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday sought to evaluate the mental health of a woman charged with kidnapping, firearms and terrorism-related counts — nearly four years after authorities arrested her and four other adults from an extended family at a squalid New Mexico compound and recovered the remains of a 3-year-old boy.

Courtroom deliberations about Haitian national Jany Leveille's mental health took place in Albuquerque at a hearing closed from public view, on the request of her lawyers, to consider whether she understand the criminal charges against her, which she has denied. No updates were provided by the court.
[.....]
The deliberations about Leveille’s mental competency took place more than three years after sheriff’s officials and state agents raided the ramshackle encampment in the remote desert surrounded by berms of used tires with an adjacent firing range. They were searching for a sickly 3-year-old who had been reported missing by his mother in Georgia.
[.....]
Mental health concerns about Leveille and three other defendants have contributed to the delay in preparations for their trials, along with disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Leveille's lawyer, Aric Elsenheimer, declined comment on Thursday. But the lawyer for Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, Leveille’s partner and the father of the deceased child, said her client's right to a speedy trial has been violated because he has been incarcerated since his arrest in August 2018.
[.....]
Prosecutors for the case at the U.S. attorney’s office declined to comment on recent developments, though they opposed the motion to prevent members of the public from attending Leveille's competency hearing.
[.....]
Albuquerque-based Chief U.S. District Court Judge William Johnson on Wednesday approved a request from Leveille's lawyer to close public access to the mental competency hearing for Leveille, saying it involves details of medical treatment and sensitive personal and psychological matters.



I'll go look & see if they are back on the court site. - oh wait - this is a Federal case - so @Seattle1 - do you have a link to New Mexico Federal cases? TIA!

 

[Niner]

I'm going to go ahead & post this - just to keep my records straight - and I can shorten this up a bit also.

Thursday, March 10th:
*Motions Hearing for all (Federal Case) (@ MT) – NM – 11 children (ages 1 to 15 found 8/3/18 in filthy NM compound, Amalia) - *Siraj Ibn Wahhaj (39), Maryam Jany Leveille (35) (wife of Siraj), Laqman Lucas Allen Morton (40), Subhannah Wahhaj (33) (8 mos. pregnant back in 8/31/18) (wife of Morton) & Hujrah Wahhaj (38) (sister of Siraj) arrested (8/31/18) & indicted (9/12/18) & re charged & indicted (3/13/19) by FBI with conspiring to provide material support in preparation for attacks on Fed. Officials, terrorism, kidnapping (except Siraj) & firearms violations. Also charged Leveille, a Haitian national, with being in the United States illegally & unlawfully in possession of firearms and ammunition from Oct. 2017 thru Aug. 2018. The other four defendants are charged with aiding & abetting Leveille & conspiring with her to commit the offense. (Violating federal firearms & conspiracy laws). All plead not guilty.
Trial was set to begin on 4/13/20 cancelled. Federal case takes over.
Court hearings from 8/31/18 thru 3/13/19 reference post #286 here:
NM - 11 children found in "filthy" New Mexico compound with little food, 04 Aug. 2018
3/21/19 Arraignment for all. All plead not guilty. Although federal law says the federal kidnapping charge is punishable by the death sentence, federal attorneys will not seek the death sentences against the five suspects. The trial is set for April 13, 2020.
10/17/19 Update: Chief U.S. District Court Judge William Johnson's order Thursday allows for a maximum of four months of hospitalization for Leveille before the court determines whether she might eventually prove competent to stand trial.
11/12/19 Update: A team of defense attorneys representing five adults charged with planning terrorist attacks from a remote compound in Taos County have filed a motion to delay a trial that had been scheduled for April 13, 2020. Defense attorneys argued that they need additional time to prepare for trial, noting the complexity and scope of the case. A response to the motion had not been filed in court records.
8/10/20 Update: Morton, 42, will now undergo treatment to attempt to gain competency; Morton’s attorneys filed a motion in January to determine Morton’s competency. In February, the motion was granted & Morton was referred to the Bureau of Prisons for a competency evaluation. In May Dr. Jessica Micono filed a report that says Morton suffers from a disorder that “significantly impairs his present ability to understand the nature & consequences of the court proceedings against him,” and determined he was incompetent to stand trial. Micono recommended that Morton be committed to a federal medical center for restoration of competence & that his prognosis for restoration “appears to be positive.” he Court hereby finds Defendant Lucas Morton incompetent and (is) committing him to the custody of the Attorney General for placement in a suitable facility,” Federal Judge William P. Johnson wrote. Siraj Ibn Wahhaj has petitioned a U.S. District Court to be released from a correctional center pending trial to avoid exposure to COVID-19. He has asked to stay at a halfway house in Albuquerque while wearing a GPS monitor. Federal prison records show that Hujrah Wahhaj is being held at a jail in Los Angeles.
3/10/22 Update: A federal judge on Thursday sought to evaluate the mental health of Jany Leveille charged with kidnapping, firearms & terrorism-related counts — nearly four years after authorities arrested her & four other adults from an extended family at a squalid New Mexico compound & recovered the remains of a 3-year-old boy. Courtroom deliberations about Haitian national Leveille's mental health took place in Albuquerque at a hearing closed from public view, on the request of her lawyers, to consider whether she understand the criminal charges against her, which she has denied. No updates were provided by the court. Mental health concerns about Leveille & three other defendants have contributed to the delay in preparations for their trials, along with disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Leveille's lawyer, Aric Elsenheimer, declined comment on Thursday. But the lawyer for Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, Leveille’s partner & the father of the deceased child, said her client's right to a speedy trial has been violated because he has been incarcerated since his arrest in August 2018. Albuquerque-based Chief U.S. District Court Judge William Johnson on Wednesday approved a request from Leveille's lawyer to close public access to the mental competency hearing for Leveille, saying it involves details of medical treatment & sensitive personal & psychological matters.

 

[Niner]

Defendants protest trial delays in New Mexico compound raid

April 7, 2022
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A second defendant is invoking the right to a speedy trial in the 2018 raid on a squalid family compound in northern New Mexico that uncovered the remains of a 3-year-old boy and led to charges of kidnapping, firearms and terrorism charges, defense attorneys confirmed Thursday.

Subhanah Wahhaj, one of five defendants who have been incarcerated since the raid, gave birth to a child during her initial months in federal custody. She denies the charges against her and this week notified federal prosecutors and a judge in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque of her right to a trial within a reasonable amount of time after arrest.

“We filed the speedy-trial notice because it’s been (nearly) four years, and based on the evidence in the case we don’t think our client belongs in jail any more,” said Ryan Villa, a court-appointed attorney for Wahhaj.



That's as far as I got in the article - when the "subscribe" popped up....

 

[tlcya]

Trial preparations have been largely suspended without a start date as the court addresses mental health concerns about four defendants. A new court filing indicates three defendants have been found mentally competent to stand trial — Subhanah Wahhaj, sister Hujrah Wahhaj and Haitian national Jany Leveille. Evaluation and possible treatment is pending for Lucas Morton, the husband of Subhanah. Subhanah also is the mother of four children taken into state custody during the 2018 raid. Authorities have said the deceased child, Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj, suffered from untreated disabilities as father Siraj Ibn Wahhaj and his partner Leveille performed daily prayer rituals over him — even as he cried and foamed at the mouth. Authorities also said Leveille believed medication suppressed the group’s Muslim beliefs.

Read more at: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/nation-world/national/article260220395.html#storylink=cpy

 

[Niner]

ah - found this one - I'll continue where the other left off...

Defendants protest trial delays in New Mexico compound raid

April 7, 2022
....
Trial preparations have been largely suspended without a start date as the court addresses mental health concerns about four defendants. A new court filing indicates three defendants have been found mentally competent to stand trial — Subhanah Wahhaj, sister Hujrah Wahhaj and Haitian national Jany Leveille.

Evaluation and possible treatment is pending for Lucas Morton, the husband of Subhanah.
[.....]
A grand jury indictment alleges Leveille and her partner instructed people at the compound to be prepared to engage in jihad and die as martyrs, and that one more relative was invited to bring money and firearms.

All five defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and providing material support to each other as potential terrorists by crossing state lines with firearms and training at the New Mexico compound.

 

[Niner]

Oops - didn't see your post until I did the last one @tlcya ! Thanks!

 

[Niner]

Any news on this Federal case - just going thru some oldie cases I am following...

If @Seattle1 is around - the case #
U.S. District Court of Albuquerque #1:18-CR-02945-WJ / Chief U.S. District Court Judge William Johnson

Can you help? TIA!

 

[JerseyGirl]

Any news on this Federal case - just going thru some oldie cases I am following...

If @Seattle1 is around - the case #
U.S. District Court of Albuquerque #1:18-CR-02945-WJ / Chief U.S. District Court Judge William Johnson

Can you help? TIA!

Lawyers for five Taos compound defendants file motions that are expected to delay trial

TAOS, N.M. (KRQE) – Lawyers for five defendants accused of training children to commit terror acts on schools, banks, and government in a Taos county compound have filed motions that are …

www.krqe.com

Four of the suspects, including the three-year-old boy’s biological father, Siraj Wahhaj, are charged with kidnapping. Last Wednesday, the defense filed a motion to drop the kidnapping charges claiming Wahhaj had not lost his parental rights and can’t be charged adding the other three charged lived with him and his child.

On Thursday, they filed another motion to suppress evidence collected at the scene claiming the Taos County sheriff gave false statements in the search warrant affidavit.

 

[Niner]

plus there was another article linked to the above. Could not access the original article so had to go thru 12ft. Ladder

12ft |

12ft.io

Oct. 14, 2022
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The trial for a woman arrested during a raid on a Taos County compound is moving forward after she was found competent to stand trial. Police raided the property in Amalia just south of the state line in 2018, finding guns, ammo, eleven malnourished children, and the remains of a three-year-old boy.

The group was accused of training the children to carry out terror attacks on schools, banks, and government buildings. One of the five adults arrested was Jany Leveille.
[.....]
The issue was recently argued again and a judge ruled she is competent to stand trial. The trial is slated for next fall, and may last up to five weeks.

 

[Niner]

Any news on this Federal case - just going thru some oldie cases I am following...

If @Seattle1 is around - the case #
U.S. District Court of Albuquerque #1:18-CR-02945-WJ / Chief U.S. District Court Judge William Johnson

Can you help? TIA!

Bumping up for @Seattle1 - just in case you missed my tag!

 

[Niner]

Bumping up for @Seattle1 - just in case you missed my tag!

I "think" this is the Judge: Chief U.S. District Court Judge William Johnson

 

[Niner]

@Seattle1 - can you find anything happening on this case?

U.S. District Court of Albuquerque #1:18-CR-02945-WJ / Chief U.S. District Court Judge William Johnson

Since Leveille was declared competent - thought they might move on this case.

 

[Niner]

@Seattle1 - can you find anything happening on this case?

U.S. District Court of Albuquerque #1:18-CR-02945-WJ / Chief U.S. District Court Judge William Johnson

Since Leveille was declared competent - thought they might move on this case.

@Seattle1 -

Just bumping up my post in case you did not see it earlier. Hoping some movement on this case - and of course not finding any recent articles on it - is why I ask!

TIA!

 

[Niner]

Defendant in Taos compound case shares story in written testimony

Now facing federal terrorism and kidnapping charges, a recent court filing details Subhannah Wahhaj's firsthand experience from the compound raid to now.

www.kob.com

Jan. 27, 2023
TAOS, N.M. — Nearly four and a half years have passed since authorities busted what they believe was a terrorist compound in Taos County. The five arrested are expected to finally get their day in court later this year.

For the first time, we are getting a glimpse into the minds of two of the sisters facing terrorism-related charges.

Now facing federal terrorism and kidnapping charges, a recent court filing details Subhannah Wahhaj’s firsthand experience from the compound raid to now. Before she was arrested, she writes about meeting with her children. They reportedly had pizza and were met with smiles from CYFD, but then she was questioned by the FBI.
[.....]
Since this is a terrorism case, there is some sensitive material that is now getting handled by “classified information security officers” so national security information doesn’t become public record.

The trial date is set for September.


@Seattle1 - sorry to bother you again - but is there anything in the court site that gives a date in September for their trial?

U.S. District Court of Albuquerque #1:18-CR-02945-WJ / Chief U.S. District Court Judge William Johnson

TIA!

 

[Niner]

Suspect in Ga. boy’s death at New Mexico compound signs tentative plea agreement

Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj’s remains were found on what would have been his fourth birthday alongside 11 other starving children.

www.wsbtv.com

Feb. 15, 2023
TAOS COUNTY, N.M. — A woman charged in the death of a Georgia 3-year-old found at a New Mexico compound has signed a tentative plea agreement to weapon charges in exchange for a reduced sentence, according to the Associated Press.
[.....]
Prosecutors charged five people in his death, including the boy’s father, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj and his partner, Jany Leveille.
[.....]
The plea agreement would ignore Leveille’s kidnapping and terrorism-related charges and allow her to accept a potential 12 to 15 year sentence and possible fines.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Trial looms in case of boy's death at remote, armed compound

Three defendants from an extended family have rejected compromise offers from prosecutors to resolve kidnapping, terrorism and weapons charges

abcnews.go.com

 

[Niner]

To keep my notes straight - and they had a hearing today - I shall go ahead & post this, so I can also shorten it up a bit!

Friday, February 25th:
*Status Hearing for all (Federal Case) (@ MT) – NM – 11 children (ages 1 to 15 found 8/3/18 in filthy NM compound, Amalia) - *Siraj Ibn Wahhaj (39/now 41), Maryam Jany Leveille (35/now 38) (wife of Siraj), Laqman Lucas Allen Morton (40/now 43), Subhannah Wahhaj (33/now 36) (8 mos. pregnant back in 8/31/18) (wife of Morton) & Hujrah Wahhaj (38/now 41) (sister of Siraj) arrested (8/31/18) & indicted (9/12/18) & re charged & indicted (3/14/19) & arraigned (3/21/19) by FBI with conspiring to provide material support in preparation for attacks on Federal officials, terrorism, kidnapping (except Siraj) & firearms violations. Also charged Leveille, a Haitian national, with being in the United States illegally & unlawfully in possession of firearms & ammunition from Oct. 2017 thru Aug. 2018. The other four defendants are charged with aiding & abetting Leveille & conspiring with her to commit the offense. (Violating federal firearms & conspiracy laws). All plead not guilty. U.S. District Court of Albuquerque #1:18-CR-02945-WJ / Chief U.S. District Court Judge William Johnson
State Trial was set to begin on 4/13/20 cancelled.
Federal case takes over from State charges. Trial set to begin in September, 2023.
See link for case files:
https://casetext.com/case/united-states-v-leveille-2
Court hearings from 8/31/18 thru 8/10/20 reference post #304 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...d-with-little-food-04-aug-2018.383594/page-16
8/13/20 Update: The Court finds that both the pending competency issues of co-defendants & restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic have created a perfect storm causing a delay precluding the scheduling of a certain trial date for Defendant. While these circumstances are unfortunate, they are also unavoidable & do not set up grounds for finding that Defendant's rights under the Due Process Clause, the Speedy Trial Act or the Sixth Amendment have been violated. Defendant's objection regarding alleged violation of Sixth Amendment right to speedy trial & finding delay of over a year "justified considering the complexity of his case & the COVID-19 pandemic". Nor has Defendant presented any legal grounds for why his trial should be severed from the other co-defendants. In light of this ruling, the Court need not consider Defendant's request for a scheduling conference. The Court is also requiring Defendant to show cause why the motion & reply (Docs. 231 & 240) should not be unsealed & made available for public access. Therefore, it is ordered that Defendant Siraj Wahhaj's Motion to Lift Stay of Proceedings as to Siraj Wahhaj & Request for a Scheduling Conference is hereby DENIED for reasons described in this Memorandum Opinion and Order (Doc. 231); It is further ordered that Defendant shall show cause why the motion & reply (Docs. 231 & 240) should not be unsealed within ten (10) days of the entry of this Order. Failure to timely respond to the Order will result in the unsealing of both documents (Docs. 231 & 240).
3/10/22 Update: A federal judge on Thursday sought to evaluate the mental health of Jany Leveille charged with kidnapping, firearms & terrorism-related counts — nearly four years after authorities arrested her & four other adults from an extended family at a squalid New Mexico compound & recovered the remains of a 3-year-old boy. Courtroom deliberations about Haitian national Leveille's mental health took place in Albuquerque at a hearing closed from public view, on the request of her lawyers, to consider whether she understand the criminal charges against her, which she has denied. No updates were provided by the court. Mental health concerns about Leveille & three other defendants have contributed to the delay in preparations for their trials, along with disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Leveille's lawyer, Aric Elsenheimer, declined comment on Thursday. But the lawyer for Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, Leveille’s partner & the father of the deceased child, said her client's right to a speedy trial has been violated because he has been incarcerated since his arrest in August 2018. Albuquerque-based Chief U.S. District Court Judge William Johnson on Wednesday approved a request from Leveille's lawyer to close public access to the mental competency hearing for Leveille, saying it involves details of medical treatment & sensitive personal & psychological matters.
4/7/22: A second defendant is invoking the right to a speedy trial in the 2018 raid on a squalid family compound in northern New Mexico that uncovered the remains of a 3-year-old boy & led to charges of kidnapping, firearms & terrorism charges, defense attorneys confirmed Thursday. Subhanah Wahhaj, one of five defendants who have been incarcerated since the raid, gave birth to a child during her initial months in federal custody. She denies the charges against her & this week notified federal prosecutors & a judge in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque of her right to a trial within a reasonable amount of time after arrest. “We filed the speedy-trial notice because it’s been (nearly) four years & based on the evidence in the case we don’t think our client belongs in jail anymore,” said Ryan Villa, a court-appointed attorney for Wahhaj. Trial preparations have been largely suspended without a start date as the court addresses mental health concerns about four defendants. A new court filing indicates three defendants have been found mentally competent to stand trial — Subhanah Wahhaj, sister Hujrah Wahhaj & Haitian national Jany Leveille. Evaluation & possible treatment is pending for Lucas Morton, the husband of Subhanah. Siraj Ibn Wahhaj also has protested trial delays.
10/14/22 Update: The trial for Jane Leveille arrested during a raid on a Taos County compound is moving forward after she was found competent to stand trial. The issue was recently argued again & a judge ruled she is competent to stand trial. The trial is slated for next fall & may last up to five weeks. 10/24/22 Update: Lawyers for five defendants accused of training children to commit terror acts on schools, banks, & government in a Taos county compound have filed motions that are expected to further delay their trial. Four of the suspects, including the three-year-old boy’s biological father, Siraj Wahhaj, are charged with kidnapping. Last Wednesday, the defense filed a motion to drop the kidnapping charges claiming Wahhaj had not lost his parental rights & can’t be charged adding the other three charged lived with him & his child. On Thursday, they filed another motion to suppress evidence collected at the scene claiming the Taos County sheriff gave false statements in the search warrant affidavit.
1/27/23 Update: Trial is set to begin in September, no date was given in article.
2/16/23 Update: Jany Leveille charged in the death of Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj who was found at a New Mexico compound has signed a tentative plea agreement to weapon charges in exchange for a reduced sentence. The plea agreement would ignore Leveille’s kidnapping & terrorism-related charges & allow her to accept a potential 12 to 15 year sentence & possible fines. Approval of the agreement is still pending in U.S. District Court. Prosecutors could withdraw from the agreement based on responses to proposed plea agreements with four additional defendants who say they are innocent of all charges, the U.S. Attorney's Office confirmed Tuesday. A deadline passed last week without additional plea agreements to avoid trial. All five defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States * providing material support to each other as potential terrorists by crossing state lines with firearms & training at the New Mexico compound. Defense attorneys have said their clients would not be facing terrorism-related charges if they were not Muslim. All five defendants have been found competent to stand trial after mental health evaluations. One defendant, Lucas Morton, is acting as his own legal counsel after declining his right to a public attorney. Status hearing on 2/25/23.
2/25/23 Update: Sisters Hujrah & Subhannah Wahhaj, along with Subhannah's husband Lucas Morton rejected compromise offers from prosecutors to resolve kidnapping, terrorism & weapons charges in proceedings Friday at U.S. District Court in Albuquerque. U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura Fashing asked each one a series of questions to verify that they had reviewed & understood the plea offers & consequences of rejecting them a& proceeding toward trial. They will proceed toward a likely trial scheduled for September after the defendants affirmed their rejection of confidential offers to plead guilty in return for specific sanctions. Plea offers are still in limbo for two additional defendants in the case. Siraj Ibn Wahhaj is expected to reject a plea offer but did not attend Friday's hearing because of health issues. Jany Leveille has agreed to accept a potential prison sentence of 12-15 years with the dismissal of kidnapping & terrorism-related charges — but prosecutors may withdraw the offer based on responses from other defendants, under terms of a “global” plea proposal. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Albuquerque declined to comment further Friday.

 

[Niner]

@Seattle1 - you are good at accessing Federal court sites - is there anything on this case?

U.S. District Court of Albuquerque #1:18-CR-02945-WJ / Chief U.S. District Court Judge William Johnson

They are supposed to have a trial in September, but none of the articles I have found has a specific date. Wondering if the court site might have that.
The defendants are:
*Siraj Ibn Wahhaj (39/now 41), Maryam Jany Leveille (35/now 38) (wife of Siraj), Laqman Lucas Allen Morton (40/now 43), Subhannah Wahhaj (33/now 36) (8 mos. pregnant back in 8/31/18) (wife of Morton) & Hujrah Wahhaj (38/now 41)

TIA!