A FORMER United States marine who was born in Trinidad and Tobago and wanted in the US for allegedly committing 128 sex crime offences against children has been extradited to face trial.
If convicted, Farzan Mohammed, who was arrested by Southern Division police at his Princes Town home in April this year faces up to 40 years in prison.
The United States Embassy issued a media release yesterday revealing that Mohammed was extradited on Wednesday after the Appeal Court in Port of Spain dismissed his challenge against extradition last month.
Candace Bond, United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago said the latest extradition highlighted “the excellent and productive working relationship we currently enjoy between our U.S. federal law enforcement team at the embassy and all elements of Trinidad and Tobago law enforcement.”
“We have made great strides together in our joint efforts to address crime in both our countries and bringing criminals to justice is the epitome of this success. We look forward to continuing this great partnership and many more successes like this one to come,” she stated.
A warrant of arrest was issued for Mohammed in Pennsylvania in 2023 for crimes allegedly committed which includes child trafficking; rape; sexual assault; causing a child to make pornographic videos; exposing a 16-year-old to pornography and exposing the child to pornography.
He fled the United States to this country in June 2023 after being charged.
United States law enforcement authorities eventually requested a provisional arrest warrant for Mohammed.
After being arrested at his home and having been brought before the Port of Spain Magistrates’ Court, Mohammed was subsequently committed for extradition.
His appeal against the magistrate’s ruling failed at the Appeal Court.
On October 4, 2024, Attorney General Reginald Armour, SC, signed a warrant of removal for Mohammed.
“Mohammed was escorted from Port of Spain to the United States by marshals from the United States Marshal Services and special agents from the US Diplomatic Security Service,” stated the release. Playing key roles and critical to the successful extradition were the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the Central Authority of the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs, Trinidad and Tobago Customs and Immigration, the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, the U.S Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.