(The Center Square) – Two Jordanian men who are accused of attempting to illegally enter Quantico Marine Base have been identified and released, pending future court hearings.
The pair have been charged with misdemeanors stemming from the May incident for attempting to "trespass" on to the headquarters of the U.S. Marine Corps, home of the FBI Training Academy and the military's top criminal investigative agencies.
Federal court documents obtained by the Center for Immigration Studies identified the duo as Hasan Y. Hamdan and Mohammad K. Dabous.
The pair's identities were finally revealed after exhausted efforts made by congressional leaders and Virginia leaders, including Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who demanded answers from President Joe Biden’s administration.
The Center for Immigration Studies says one of the men crossed the border illegally a month prior to the incident, while the other reportedly overstayed a student visa that had never been used.
The men appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Alexandria on July 22, charged with Class B misdemeanors. If convicted, they face up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine.
A violation notice issued by law enforcement indicates the pair attempted to enter the base through the main gate on May 3 at approximately 3:23 a.m. in a white “freight line” vehicle with Virginia tags.
No information was disclosed indicating why the men were trying to access the gate. However, the U.S. attorney charges the defendants “did unlawfully go upon a military installation for a purpose prohibited by law, to wit: knowingly and intentionally entering Marine Corps Base Quantico,” according to court documents.
Hamdan and Dabous were granted release upon condition they appear for “all future court appearances,” including immigration appearances they have “pending,” and they may “not further trespass on Marine Corps Base Quantico or any other military installation.”
The Center for Immigration Studies obtained a copy of Dabous' condition of release, which states that he is not to violate any federal, state or local laws on release; the defendant must submit a DNA sample “if it is authorized by 34 U.S.C. § 40702”; he must advise the court before making any change of residence or phone number; and “must appear in court as required and, if convicted, must surrender as directed to serve a sentence that the court may impose.”
Potomac Local News first reported the May incident. The duo claimed to be Amazon subcontractors while attempting to enter the base; the truck driver reportedly ignored commands by security officials to wait while officers tried to identify the men, who did not have ID. The driver then “hit the gas” and hit a barricade deployed to stop the truck, according to sources.
Dabous and Hamdan have been ordered to appear in the Alexandria court on Sept. 17.
The alleged breach has been the focus of multiple congressional investigations into similar incidents reported at multiple U.S. military installations, demanding answers from the federal government.
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