A Somali pirate, who had earlier been sentenced to 30 years in prison for being involved in an assault on a U.S. Navy ship, was sentenced to 25 yearsin prison for his role in the assault on a Danish vessel. This prison sentence is a milestone for maritime piracy lawyers, because it marks the first time that pirates have been prosecuted inside the United States for hijacking a vessel, and obtaining a ransom.
The pirate, Jama Idle Ibrahim was handed the 25-year sentence for his involvement in the pirate attack on the CEC Future. Ibrahim had earlier been sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in the attack on the USS Ashland in 2010. That attack failed, and Ibrahim and his fellow pirates were taken into custody.
The attack on the CEC Future occurred in 2008. The group of pirates, including Ibrahim, held the vessel for two months. They ultimately paid around $1.7 million, and released the ship. According to his lawyers, his share of the booty was about $70,000.
After the failed USS Ashland attack, Ibrahim pleaded guilty to both the attacks. He entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors, and under the terms of the deal, he agreed to cooperate with investigators. He will likely testify against other pirates involved in the attack on the USS Ashland.
The sentence came after crewmembers of the CC Futures wrote to the judge, telling him about their experiences on the high-tech vessel. The ship was in pirate custody for 71 days, but for those crewmembers, it seemed like a lifetime. Many of those members continue to live with the scars of their ordeal.
The new 25-year sentences will run concurrently with the 30-year sentence for the attack on the USS Ashland.
