A federal jury convicted Khaled Abughanem, 52, and his son, Adham Abughanem, 28, both of Lackawanna, New York, of conspiring to abduct and transfer Khaled’s daughter and Adham’s sister to Yemen, where she was detained against her will for 16 months. The plot attempted to coerce her into a marriage she did not want.
Khaled Abughanem was convicted for making threats to retaliate against the victim, including a menacing statement to “slaughter” her due to her collaboration with law enforcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles M. Kruly and Maeve E. Huggins, who prosecuted the case, stated 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. The defendants conspired between September 10, 2021, and April 6, 2023, to transport Victim 1 from the Western District of New York to Cairo, Egypt, and then to Sanaa, Yemen. They held Victim 1 captive for approximately 16 months, aiming to force her into marrying a man she did not choose. Furthermore, on March 14, 2023, Khaled Abughanem threatened to “slaughter” Victim 1 as retribution for her cooperation with a law enforcement officer regarding a federal offense.
“This verdict brings to an end a difficult time for the victim, who was twice kidnapped by family members, taken to Yemen against her will, held for more than a year, denied freedom of movement and communication, physically assaulted and had her life threatened” stated U.S. Attorney Ross. “These defendants are being held accountable because of the courage of this victim and the unwavering dedication of the investigators and prosecutors on this case.”
“The FBI prioritizes the protection of civil rights and safety of American citizens,” said Matthew Miraglia, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office. Today’s verdict is a direct result of the strong investigative work conducted by the FBI, Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service. The FBI values all our partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, which are paramount.”
“The Diplomatic Security Service would like to recognize the unshakable courage of the victim in this case as well as the close collaboration between 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,” said DSS Protective Intelligence Investigations Director Greg Anderson.” The Diplomatic Security Service has the largest global presence of any U.S. law enforcement agency and remains committed to ensuring individuals like Adham and Khaled Abughanem who commit heinous criminal acts 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, headed by Protective Intelligence Investigations Director Greg Anderson, conducted an investigation that yielded this verdict.
The sentencing is set to take place on June 17, 2025, in front of Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr., who oversaw the trial for this case.