A father and son duo from Lackawanna, NY, namely Khaled Abughanem, 52, and Adham Abughanem, 28, were found guilty by a federal jury for conspiring to kidnap and transport Khaled’s daughter and Adham’s sister to Yemen. The intention behind this plot was to compel her into an unwanted marriage. Shockingly, she was held captive for a staggering 16 months against her will.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles M. Kruly and Maeve E. Huggins, who prosecuted the case, said that on September 8, 2021, Khaled Abughanem and Adham Abughanem flew from Buffalo, NY, to Guadalajara, Mexico, with the intention of kidnapping Victim 1. Victim 1 is Khaled’s daughter and Adham’s sister. From September 10, 2021, to April 6, 2023, the defendants conspired to transport Victim 1 from the Western District of New York to Cairo, Egypt, and then to Sanaa, Yemen. Their goal was to confine Victim 1 for approximately 16 months in order to force her into a marriage with a man she did not choose. Moreover, on March 14, 2023, Khaled Abughanem threatened to “slaughter” Victim 1 as retaliation for her cooperation with a law enforcement officer regarding a federal offense.
U.S. Attorney Ross stated that the recent verdict marks the conclusion of a challenging period for the victim. She was subjected to two kidnappings by her family members, forcefully taken to Yemen, held against her will for over a year, denied the freedom to move and communicate, physically assaulted, and even faced threats to her life. The courage displayed by the victim, along with the relentless efforts of the investigators and prosecutors, has led to the accountability of the defendants in this case.
“The protection of civil rights and the safety of American citizens are top priorities for the FBI,” affirmed Matthew Miraglia, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office. He attributed today’s verdict to the diligent investigative efforts of the FBI, Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service. Miraglia also emphasized the FBI’s deep appreciation for its partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, which play a crucial role in ensuring public safety.”
“The victim in this case has displayed tremendous courage, and we commend the close collaboration between the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), the Western District of New York U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Lackawanna Police Department,” stated Greg Anderson, the Director of DSS Protective Intelligence Investigations. As the agency with the largest global presence among U.S. law enforcement, the Diplomatic Security Service is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that individuals like Adham and Khaled Abughanem, who perpetrate heinous criminal acts, are held accountable and face justice in the United States.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, led by Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, led by Protective Intelligence Investigations Director Greg Anderson, conducted an investigation that resulted in the verdict.
The sentencing is set to take place on June 17, 2025, with Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. presiding over the trial of the case.