A Lackawanna man will spend three years in federal prison for his role in a family-led conspiracy that involved kidnapping his sister and trying to force her into a marriage in Yemen.
Waleed Abughanem, 33, was sentenced Thursday to 36 months in prison for misprision of felony, a federal charge related to concealing a crime. U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. handed down the sentence in Buffalo federal court.
Family conspired to take sister overseas
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York, Abughanem’s father Khaled Abughanem and brother Adham Abughanem flew from Buffalo to Mexico in 2021 to abduct the victim — Waleed’s sister. Over the next year and a half, the family worked together to transport her through Egypt and eventually to Sanaa, Yemen, where she was held against her will for 16 months.
While the victim was in Yemen, Waleed Abughanem was physically present during part of the confinement and later directed his wife to monitor her after he returned to the U.S. in December 2022.
When questioned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, he falsely claimed the victim was still in the United States, hiding the fact that she was being held overseas.
Victim targeted for forced marriage
Federal prosecutors say the family intended to force the young woman into a marriage not of her choosing while she was confined in Yemen. During her captivity, she was under constant supervision and denied the freedom to return home.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo called the sentencing a result of close coordination between federal and local law enforcement, including:
- The FBI
- The U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service
- Customs and Border Protection
- The Lackawanna Police Department
Co-defendants await sentencing
Waleed’s father Khaled and brother Adham were previously convicted at trial and are awaiting sentencing. All three men were charged in connection with the international conspiracy to remove the victim from New York and coerce her into a forced marriage overseas.
The case highlights ongoing federal efforts to combat international human rights violations, including forced marriage and honor-based violence.
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