'Immigrant' Arrested for Suspicious 'Pilot Paraphernalia'

[Airbubba]

I need to get that $19.95 DVD...

_________________________________________________


TERRORISM TASK FORCE BUSTS BOGUS U of M STUDENT

JOHN BRANSTON

Was Mahmoud Maawad a University of Memphis student and pilot-wannabe with a passion for flying small planes or an Arab terrorist looking to duplicate the suicide missions of 9/11?

Federal prosecutors in Memphis aren’t saying, but on Thursday they asked a U.S. magistrate to hold Maawad, 29, whose email logon is “pilot747,” without bond until trial. U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Thomas Anderson agreed with Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Parker, and Maaward becomes the second Memphis resident of Arab descent to be held without bond because of investigations by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. In April, Rafat Mawlawi was jailed in a separate investigation in which prosecutors have linked him to Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaida. He is awaiting trial on October 3rd.

Maawad is charged in a criminal complaint with fraudulent use of a Social Security number which he used to get utilities and a credit card and enroll in school. He entered the United States at New York City from Egypt in 1998 and his visitor’s visa expired in 1999. He has been in the country illegally since then. His address is 3557 Mynders Avenue in Memphis, where he moved in June. He previously lived in Olive Branch, Mississippi for an unknown period. He is currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at the University of Memphis, registering as a transfer student from New Jersey but failing to register as an international student.

Maawad was cited on March 11, 2005, by Memphis police for selling alcohol to a minor at 1171 Chelsea in Memphis

Maawad was busted again this week after federal agents searched his apartment and computer on September 9th and examined his Internet purchases of flight instructions and pilot paraphernalia. Since June, Maawad ordered $3,300 of merchandise over the Internet from Sporty’s Pilot Shop in Batavia, Ohio, including a private pilot course, flight simulator software, a flight gear bag, several DVDs, a $239 Navy leather flight jacket, a $19.95 DVD on “How an Airline Captain Should Look and Act,” and instructional programs on “airplane talk.” His email address was [email protected].

After purchasing approximately $2,500 worth of merchandise, Maawad’s debit card was rejected by Sporty’s for lack of funds and his last three orders were not filled. Agents are in the process of examining his computer hard drive.

http://www.memphisflyer.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=10148
____________________________________________


Suspected Terrorist Arrested in Memphis

SEPTEMBER 16, 2005 - Posted at 2:58 p.m. CDT

MEMPHIS, TN - A federal magistrate has ordered a University of Memphis student held until trial.

Prosecutors say FBI agents found an airline pilot's uniform, a chart of Memphis International Airport and instructional DVDs. One was titled "How an Airline Captain Should Look and Act."

Mahmoud Maawad is charged with wire fraud and fraudulent use of a Social Security number.

Describing what agents found, Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Parker argued yesterday against releasing Maawad, saying the acts and circumstances of the case are "scary."

Parker said Maawad, a 29-year-old Egyptian, has been in the country illegally since 1999 and had used a phony Social Security number to enroll in schools and open a bank account.

http://www.kait8.com/Global/story.asp?S=3860622

[Farrell]

"including a private pilot course, flight simulator software, a flight gear bag, several DVDs, a $239 Navy leather flight jacket, a $19.95 DVD on “How an Airline Captain Should Look and Act,” and instructional programs on “airplane talk.” "

sounds suspiciously like he wanted to be a pilot!

[Genghis the Engineer]

And running up large debts in the attempt, how unusual.

To be fair, the other bits were rather naughty.

G

[Avman]

I don't think that committing fraud is the best way to embark on a commercial pilot career. Then again it's all part and parcel of how things are done in his home country (fraud and corruption being the norm in Egypt) and may not necessarily mean that he's a terrorist. However,..............?

[superspotter]

Well if I wanted to be an airline captain I would have thought the best way to go about it would be to enrol at a local flying training school and invest in some flying manuals rather than buying myself a captain's uniform and a DVD in how to look and act like a pilot Maybe he just wanted to look convincing sat there in a PA-38

[big fraidy cat]

I think that, with the present climate of fear in the States, it would not be likely that someone from the Middle East would be accepted at any of the many flight schools operating in the U.S.

[sikeano]

immigrant arrested

moral of the story for all future illlegal immigrants in america do not buy any dvd as to how to act as a airline pilot
do not buy topgun or any films, dress that looks remotely plain(plane) , but carry on serving burgers with onion rings to fbi or driving homeland seciurity guys in your back of cab but do not mention any thing about planes



i will go back now to catch football

[AMF]

The most troubling part of the whole affair is that someone would atually produce, and others would actually buy, a DVD entitled "How An Airline Captain Should Look and Act". I mean, if ya gotta ask.....

Can anyone spell "Loser Geek"?

[Sunfish]

Sporty's pilot shop, Oh Dear!

Sporty's® invites you to come along as we examine the professional and personal qualities required of a great airline captain. The whole flight crew, especially the captain, can affect a profound and lasting impression on an airline's passengers. In addition to flying ability, a captain's appearance, mannerisms and public relations skills can and should be used to provide the quality service today's airline passengers demand. In cooperation with Delta Air Lines, Sporty's follows Captain George Elbel through his typical duties preparing for a flight. From his armchair the night before to his responsibilities after the flight, go behind the scenes to discover how an experienced captain smoothly coordinates all elements of a flight, balancing safety, passenger comfort and a demanding schedule. Not just for future airline captains, this DVD Video can be helpful to current captains looking to improve service to their crew, their airline and most of all, their passengers. Ideal for anyone interested in a more intimate look at an airline flying career and an excellent way to give youngsters a realistic view of life in the captain's seat. Approx. 45 min.

[Airbubba]

Now all this kid needs is a couple of divorces, a failed business and a bankrupt employer to be a real airline pilot...

[G-CPTN]

Do you think that producing the DVD was the final straw that broke Delta?