Kansas City car dealer admits to sending $23,500 to al-Qaida

A Kansas City used-car and auto-parts dealer admitted in federal court to sending $23,500 to terrorist group al-Qaida.

Khalid Ouazzani pleaded guilty on Wednesday to terrorism-related charges in court in Missouri and admitted he sent the money to the terrorist organization through a bank in the United Arab Emirates in 2007-08. He also pleaded guilty to bank fraud and money laundering.

The 32-year-old was born in Morocco but is a naturalized U.S. citizen. His car business was called Truman Used Auto Parts. He sold it in 2007 and used the money to repay a coconspirator, federal officials say.

Ouazzani admitted his intent to join al-Qaida and swore an oath to the terrorist organization to an unnamed coconspirator. He faces a sentence of 30 years to life.

“National security is the highest priority of the Department of Justice,” Beth Phillips, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, said in a statement. “I applaud the diligent work of our law-enforcement partners from local, state and federal agencies . . . much of their work is done behind the scenes, investigating and gathering information, but they play a crucial role in preventing terrorist activities.”

Ouazzani's lawyers issued this statement after the plea:

“He deeply regrets what he has done and is taking steps to atone, to the extent he can, for his crimes. He will continue to do so.”

By Greg Migliore