United States of America v. Ahmed Muse Salad, Abukar Osman Beyle and Shani Nurani Shiekh Abrar

The United States of America charged Ahmed Muse Salad, Abukar Osman Beyle and Shani Nurani Shiekh Abrarpiracy under the law of nations in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1651; conspiracy to commit kidnapping in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1201; Use, carry, possess and discharge a firearm during and in relation to and in furtherance of the commission of a crime of violence in violation of 18 U.S.C. 924; Conspiracy to Commit Violence Against Maritime Navigation Resulting in Death in violation of 2280; Violence Against Maritime Navigation Resulting in Death in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2280; Murder within the Special Maritime and Territorial Jurisdiction of the United States in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1111; Conspiracy to Commit Hostage Taking Resulting in Death in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1203; Piracy under the Law of Nations in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1651; Use, Carry, Brandish and Discharge of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence in violation of 18 U.S.C. 924; Use, Carry, Brandish and Discharge of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence Causing Death in violation of 18 U.S.c. 924; Hostage Taking Resulting in Death in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1203 in conjunction with the boarding of a yacht in February 2011 in the Indian Ocean and the resulting deaths of Jean and Scott Adam and Bob Riggle and Phyllis Macay, who were shot to death several days after they were taken hostage.

The Government alleged that the Defendants shot their hostages during a confrontation with the USS Sterett off the coast of Somolia.

The Government sought the death penalty.

Defendants were found guilty with a recommendation that they be sentence to life in prison.