He's very, very, sorry...

And he's very, very, dumb...

Ujaama headed to prison, may lose plea deal

Friday, February 2, 2007 - James Ujaama, the Seattle man convicted three years ago of aiding suspected Taliban terrorists, is heading back to prison after he was caught skipping the country while on parole.

Federal prosecutors also are considering rescinding the plea agreement they made with the 41-year-old man in exchange for information about possible terrorist activities.

Ujaama acknowledged to a federal judge in Seattle on Thursday that he used a fake Mexican passport to flee to Belize in December. U.S. District Judge Barbara Rothstein sentenced him to two years in jail, the maximum allowed by law.

Ujaama's attorney, Peter Offenbecker, spoke for his client during most of the hearing, until Rothstein asked if the defendant had anything to say for himself.

"Yes, your honor," Ujaama said softly. "I would just like to say I am very, very sorry."

But neither Ujaama's nor Offenbecker's apologies softened the sentence handed down, and it has yet to be seen if they will keep the federal government from revoking the plea agreement Ujaama signed four years ago while on trial.

In April 2003, Ujaama signed an agreement stating he would cooperate with investigators and reveal information about terrorist activity as long as prosecutors dropped charges he provided training, facilities, computer services, safe houses and personnel to al-Qaida.

Posted on 03 February 2007 @ 14:21