Columbus, Ohio – An Ohio man, Mohamed Waes, 33, pleaded guilty today to charges related to threatening a Planned Parenthood clinic and participating in a money laundering scheme.
Threatening Planned Parenthood:
- Waes called Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio in July 2022 and threatened to burn down the building because they provide reproductive health services.
- This act violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which prohibits interference with or intimidation of people accessing or providing reproductive health services.
- Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the Justice Department’s commitment to protecting both patients and providers through enforcing the FACE Act.
- U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker condemned Waes’ actions and stressed the importance of civil discourse in resolving disagreements.
- FBI Cincinnati Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Mimura highlighted the FBI’s commitment to pursuing threats against healthcare providers.
Money Laundering Scheme:
- Waes also pleaded guilty to conspiring to launder money obtained through business email compromise (BEC) fraud.
- The scheme involved creating fake email domains imitating legitimate companies and tricking victims into sending payments to accounts controlled by Waes and others.
- Waes attempted to launder nearly $2 million, successfully laundering over $270,000.
- Acting Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd of IRS Criminal Investigation reaffirmed their dedication to tracking illegal proceeds and holding launderers accountable.
Sentencing and Investigation:
- A sentencing date will be determined later.
- The FBI Cincinnati Field Office and IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
- Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Rausch and Peter Glenn-Applegate, along with Trial Attorney Daniel Grunert, are prosecuting the case.
