Navy Spy Convicted; Gets to Live

Paul Hall betrayed his country after he converted to Islam and passed Navy secrets to communications experts in a terrorism network. The jury found Hassan Abujihaad, aka Paul Hall guilty.

From the AP here:

A former Navy sailor was convicted Wednesday of leaking details about ship movements to suspected terrorism supporters.

Jurors convicted Hassan Abu-Jihaad, 32, of Phoenix of providing material support to terrorists and disclosing classified national defense information on the second day of deliberations.

The American-born Muslim convert formerly known as Paul R. Hall faces up to 25 years in federal prison when he is sentenced May 23.

Abu-Jihaad, who was a signalman aboard the USS Benfold, was accused of passing along details that included the makeup of his Navy battle group, its planned movements and a drawing of the group’s formation when it was to pass through the dangerous Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf on April 29, 2001.

Hall sympathized with the enemy and admitted disclosing military intelligence. Secretly recorded phone calls were played during the trial in which Abu-Jihaad spoke of “fresh meals” and “cold meals” that an FBI informant said were references to intelligence related to military bases. A “fresh meal” referred to useful information, while “cold meal” was code for outdated intelligence.

They should hang the traitor. Previous entry here.