An auto-parts dealer from Kansas City yesterday pleaded guilty to sending $23,000 to the terrorist group, al Qaeda.
Khalid Ouazzani, a 32-year-old Moroccan immigrant, sold his Truman Used Auto Parts in August 2007 and donated $6,500 from the proceeds to al Qaeda. Months earlier -- in April '07 -- Ouazzani took out a $175,000 loan from Union Bank ostensibly for his auto parts business, but instead used the money to buy an apartment in the United Arab
Emirates.
In June or July 2008, Ouazzani sold an apartment in the United Arab
Emirates for $17,000 and donated the money to al Qaeda.
Ouazzani faces up to 65 years in federal prison without parole along with a fine of up to $1 million. His sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.