Kissimmee man gets federal time for smuggling Caribbean cocaine
A Kissimmee man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in importing cocaine into the United States.
Roman Batista, 38, will serve five years in federal prison for smuggling the drugs in from the Dominican Republic. Batista had pleaded guilty on Sept. 25, 2023.
According to court documents, on July 10, 2023, Batista flew from the Dominican Republic to the Orlando International Airport. After securing his checked luggage from the baggage claim area, Batista was referred for a bag examination. Customs and Border Protection Officers conducted an examination of Batista’s luggage wherein 2,994 grams of cocaine was located hidden in a speaker.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Kissimmee man sentenced for lying to FBI about ISIS support
A federal judge has sentenced a Kissimmee man to six years in prison for what the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida reports as lying to federal agents about his past support for the Islamic State and ISIS.
Moad Mohamed Benkabbou, 23, was initially charged on three counts of false statements to a federal agency related to a terrorism investigation in May, and agreed to a plea agreement in September. According to the agreement, Benkabbou swore an oath to support ISIS in January 2020, made plans to travel to Turkey and Syria to fight for ISIS, sent money to support ISIS, purchased airplane tickets in August 2020 and January 2021 that were later canceled and sent ISIS propaganda videos to others, including those showing the shooting and beheading of American allies fighting against ISIS.
Benkabbou also reportedly sent a photo of himself dressed as an ISIS fighter with the statement, “Hey Crusaders hey Jews die within your rage.” When interviewed on two occasions by FBI in relation to these activities, Benkabbou lied about his involvement with and support of ISIS.
