15th Pirate Indicted in Case Involving Killings of Jean and Scott Adam

A 15th pirate allegedly involved in the deaths of four Americans in February has been indicted by a federal grand jury, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday.

Mohammad Saaili Shibin was responsible for ransom negotiations in the incident, according to the indictment. He was arrested in Somalia and, in the U.S., will face charges of piracy, kidnapping and use of a destructive device during a crime of violence.

On Feb. 22, four Americans—including parishioners Jean and Scott Adam—were by pirates after their yacht was hijacked. Jean and Scott Adam had been on a multiyear sailing voyage on the S/V Quest, distributing Bibles around the world.

On Mar. 8, a federal grand jury in Virginia indicted 14 of the pirates with the aforementioned charges. While Shibin, 50, was indicted on the same day, his indictment remained sealed until he made a court appearance on Wednesday.

Shibin—who also goes by the name “Khalif Ahmed Shibin”—was not one of the conspirators who had sailed with the pirates and boarded the S/V Quest, according to the indictment. He was in Somalia at the time of the incident.

“The arrest of Mohammad Shibin is a significant breakthrough in the United States’ battle against Somali pirates,” U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride announced Wednesday. “Today marks the first time that the U.S. government has captured and charged an alleged pirate in a leadership role—a hostage negotiator who operated in Somalia. We hope that this indictment will strike at the heart of the piracy business and send a strong message to all pirates that they are not beyond the reach of the FBI, whether they board the ships or remain on-shore in Somalia.”

“As fourteen heavily armed men holed-up aboard the Quest, Mohammad Shibin allegedly worked behind the scenes determining exactly how much cash could be extorted for the Americans’ safe release,” FBI Assistant Director in Charge Janice K. Fedarcyk said in a statement. “The FBI remains committed to eradicating this racket of extortion, kidnapping and killing.”

The 15 men would be imprisoned for life if they are found guilty of the piracy charge. The charges of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and the use of a destructive device during a crime of violence carry a maximum life sentence. If they are convicted of the destructive-device charge, they would spend at least 30 years in prison; the charge would be consecutive to the other charges.

A jury trial is slated to begin Nov. 29.

The previous indictment alleged that, on Feb. 18, the 14 pirates boarded the Quest yacht and held the Americans hostage for five days. The U.S. military was negotiating with the alleged pirates, but at least one of the alleged pirates aboard the Quest fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the U.S. Navy ship U.S.S. Sterett. At least three men on the Quest allegedly shot and killed all four of the hostages before they could be rescued.

The indictment also alleged that the pirates possessed a rocket-propelled grenade with three live rounds and several AK-47 and FAL assault rifles. It said the pirates threw other weapons overboard before being taken into custody.

Jean and Scott Adam departed for their worldwide voyage in 2004. A funeral service was held for them at St. Monica early last month. Also in March, the St. Monica Music Ministry released a collection of music in their memory, with proceeds going to the Community Center Music Ministry Suite that will be built on the church's new campus.

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