Boston, MA... A Syrian national was convicted today by a federal trial jury and immediately sentenced for possession of counterfeit currency with intent to defraud and of being an illegal alien in possession of firearms.

United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan; Kenneth W. Kaiser, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New England; Steven Ricciardi, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Office of the U.S. Secret Service; and Matthew J. Etre, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, announced today that HAMMAN MOUSLI, age 47, of Revere, was convicted by a jury sitting before U.S. District Judge Joseph L. Tauro of possession of counterfeit currency with intent to defraud and of being an illegal alien in possession of firearms. Immediately following the return of the jury's verdict, Judge Tauro sentenced MOUSLI to time served, 2 years and 4 days, to be followed by 2 years of supervised release. MOUSLI is presently in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement awaiting deportation proceedings to his native Syria.

Evidence presented during the two-day trial proved that MOUSLI entered the United States from his native Syria in late 1981 on a student visa. Thereafter, he remained in the United States beyond the time permitted by that visa. On two occasions following the expiration of the student visa, MOUSLI purchased firearms, including a Smith & Wesson .38 special revolver and a .22 Marline Firearms Company rifle. The evidence also established that MOUSLI possessed ten counterfeit U.S. Treasury notes in varying denominations, with a total value of $401. The firearms and counterfeit currency were discovered by Somerville and Revere police officers in June, 2004 during the execution of a search warrant on an unrelated state investigation.

Because MOUSLI has spent over 2 years in custody since his June, 2004 arrest on the charges of conviction, with the parties’ agreement, Judge Tauro imposed a sentence of 2 years and 4 days, such time having now been served. In addition, Judge Tauro ordered that if MOUSLI is deported from the United States, he not return without the permission of the Secretary for Homeland Security.