By DAVID PORTER
Associated Press
NEWARK, N.J. - A federal jury convicted a former British clothing merchant Wednesday of attempting to sell shoulder-launched missiles to what he believed was a terrorist group planning to shoot down airliners.
Jurors reached their verdict on Hemant Lakhani on their second day of deliberations.
Lakhani has been held without bail since his arrest in a hotel room near Newark Liberty International Airport on Aug. 12, 2003.
The sting operation, involving undercover agents from several nations, became the first terrorism prosecution in New Jersey since the Sept. 11 attacks. The government claimed Lakhani had agreed to arrange the sale of 50 more missiles.
Lakhani’s attorney, Henry Klingeman, told the jury in closings last week that his client was the victim of entrapment.
“There was no missile plot until the government created it,” Klingeman said. “It’s a lot like a fireman who lights a fire and then pulls the alarm so he can be the hero.”
But in his summation, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Howe argued that Lakhani “pushed the deal and took steps to avoid getting caught.”
Lakhani, 69, was convicted of attempting to provide material support to terrorists, money laundering and other charges.
Three others connected to the case had already pleaded guilty to money laundering or related charges but denied connections to terrorist organizations. They are awaiting sentencing.
Lakhani’s trial began in January, but had several breaks while he underwent medical treatment.
Jurors saw a covertly made video of the hotel meeting that showed Lakhani laughing and joking with Rehman about using missiles against commercial planes as the two men looked out a window overlooking the airport. In a box was a disabled Russian-made shoulder-fired missile.