A pair of legal immigrants from Selma are facing federal charges for paying human smugglers.
According to a federal indictment, Salim Mohamed Yehya Alsahqani, Nagi Nasser Alsahqani, Mahmood Naji Saad Al Qamus and Haidar Abo Ayedh Almuntaser, of Yemen, conspired to smuggle illegal aliens into the United States. They are all charged with conspiracy to commit international money laundering.
The Alsahqanis migrated to the United States, became citizens and settled in Selma.
Qamus and Almuntaser came or attempted to come to the United States illegally.
Qamus began traveling to the United States as part of a migrant caravan from Ecuador in June 2020. The route included Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico. Almuntaser followed suit in October 2020.
Almuntaser successfully crossed the border illegally in 2021.
Qamus waited in Mexico, where he was detained by authorities and deported to Yemen.
Federal authorities accuse the Alsahqanis of wiring $16,000 to human smugglers to assist Almuntaser and Qamus throughout their journey.
The wire transfers were initiated in Alabama.
The Alsahqanis are also charged with international money laundering and conspiracy to encourage or induce a person to illegally come to, enter, or reside in the United States.
Almuntaser has pleaded not guilty and remains in federal custody.
Salim Alsahqani was arrested at Chicago O'Hare Airport as he was returning from Yemen.
Qamus and Nagi Alsahqani are fugitives outside the United States.
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