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Filmmaker Behind Anti-Muslim Viral Video Sentenced to 1 Year in Federal Prison
Photo by tarasov via Shutterstock
Filmmaker Mark Basseley Youssef--the man behind the controversial viral video "The Innocence of Muslims"--admitted in court today he violated the terms of his probation, and was subsequently sentenced to serve one year in federal prison.
Having previously denied the allegations in court, Youssef, 55, (who has also used the name Nakoula Basseley Nakoula and Sam Bacile) initially told the judge he did not use a number of aliases or provide false information to the officer who was overseeing his probation.
Youssef pleaded no contest in 2010 to bank fraud charges for using phony Social Security numbers to open bank and credit card accounts, according to court documents, explains City News Service. The Cerritos-based Youssef had been ordered to not use aliases--and to not use the internet--as conditions of his 2011 release.
Youssef went into hiding when "The Innocence of Muslims" was posted to YouTube and caused a world-wide stir. He was taken in for questioning and detained without bail; he's been in custody for about five weeks so far.
In court today, U.S. District Judge Christina A. Snyder said Youssef must spend 12 months behind bars, followed by four years of supervised release.
Related:
Religious Leaders to Unite at City Hall, Condemn 'Innocence of Muslims' & Anti-American Violence
Video: 'Innocence of Muslims' Filmmaker Refuses To Show His Face As He Goes In For Questioning
The California Fraudster And Christian Behind The Inflammatory Anti-Muslim Film
Actors Say They Were Duped Into Working For Controversial Anti-Muslim Film
Stupid Islamaphobic YouTube Video Sparks Stupid Riots In Middle East
"Unspeakable Idiot": Israeli Behind Controversial Anti-Muslim Film Now In Hiding
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