Lackawanna father and son convicted of kidnapping female relative in marriage scheme
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A Lackawanna father and son were convicted by a federal jury of a kidnapping conspiracy after they allegedly confined their female relative in Yemen for over a year to force her into marriage, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 17, 2025. Conspiracy to kidnap a person in a foreign country and kidnapping conspiracy carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Khaled Abughanem, 52, and his son Adham Abughanem, 28, allegedly flew from Buffalo to Mexico on Sept. 8, 2021 to kidnap the victim. The daughter of Khaled and the sister of Adham was transported to Western New York, Egypt and then Yemen where she was held for 16 months, officials said.
The pair allegedly confined her in the country to find a man for an arranged marriage.
It is alleged that her father threatened to "slaughter" her after she gave information to police relating to the commission of a federal crime.
"This verdict brings to an end a difficult time for the victim, who was twice kidnapped by family members, taken to Yemen against her will, held for more than a year, denied freedom of movement and communication, physically assaulted and had her life threatened," said U.S. Attorney Trini Ross. "These defendants are being held accountable because of the courage of this victim."
Another brother of the victim, Waleed Abughanem, pleaded guilty to misprision of felony in September. He knew she was being held involuntarily and drove the three to the airport.
Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.