According to the Patriot Ledger, there's a plea deal in the making for former imam Muhammad Masood of Sharon, MA:
"BOSTON - Imam Muhammad Masood and the government may soon reach a plea deal in his criminal case for visa fraud."
"The former Islamic Center of New England cleric’s attorneys and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are in negotiations, '‘but the final terms ... have not yet been agreed on,'’ according to documents filed in U.S. District Court on Wednesday, following the imam’s final status conference."
"It’s not clear what the terms of a deal would be for the 49-year-old Pakistan native, who until now appeared to be facing the choice of U.S. prison time or deportation to a politically unstable home country."
"If the imam and the government can’t come to terms, prosecutors are planning a five-day trial, according to the documents."
"The imam’s attorney and a U.S. Attorney’s office spokeswoman couldn’t be reached Thursday for comment on the possible plea."
"The Pakistan native was picked up in a multi-state immigration sweep in November 2006, then indicted on criminal charges last August."
Fascinating! What exactly would Masood offer up in exchange for a plea deal?!?!? Enquiring minds want to know! I'll see what I can find at PACER and update this ASAP. This plea deal is for the criminal case. The Immigration Court case was postponed until the criminal case is settled. If Masood gets a plea deal, the court action would shift back to Immigration Court. The Masood family is scheduled to go back to Immigration court in April 2009. The previous postings on former imam Muhammad Masood may be found here.
UPDATE: From the order on Final Status Conference before the Magistrate judge:
"On January 30, 2008, parties appeared before this Court for a Final Status Conference. With regard to the following issues, the parties have represented that:
"1. Counsel for the parties have been engaged in negotiations on this case but the final terms of an agreement have not yet been agreed upon. One of the attorneys for the defendant is currently on vacation. The parties will work to resolve such negotiations prior to the first appearance before the District Judge."
Stay tuned! Read the Patriot Ledger!
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