2 sentenced for smuggling cash

9/4/2009

A Holland couple who admitted to trying to take thousands of dollars out of the United States and into Jordan were sentenced this week to federal prison.

Osama Mahmoud, 43, and his wife, Lori, 36, pleaded guilty in May to one count each of conspiracy to commit bulk cash smuggling and of bulk cash smuggling out of the United States.

U.S. District Court Judge Jack Zouhary sentenced Osama Mahmoud Wednesday to serve 12 months and one day on each count and ordered the terms to be served concurrently.

Lori Mahmoud was sentenced for four months in federal custody for each count, to be served concurrently.

According to the court documents, the couple were attempting to travel with their son to Jordan on a flight July 1, 2008. Though possessing $76,464 while at Detroit Metro Airport, they each declared to have significantly less, according to court documents.

According to the indictment against the couple, Osama Mahmoud “falsely stated to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer” to have $9,000, and Lori Mahmoud claimed to have $8,500.

The couple tried to conceal the money by hiding it in their minor son's pockets and in Lori Mahmoud's bra.

Both will be subjected to three years of supervised release after completing their prison terms. Judge Zouhary also imposed 75 hours of community service as a condition of Osama Mahmoud's supervised release.