Somali pirate gets life sentence for 2010 USS Ashland attack

A Somali pirate that took part in the attack on U.S. Navy dock landing ship USS Ashland in April 2010 was sentenced to life plus 10 years in prison, the U.S. Justice Department announced April 26.

Mohamed Farah, 31, of Somalia, was sentenced for engaging in piracy and committing other offenses pertaining to the attack on the USS Ashland, a U.S. Navy ship, in April 2010.

Farah was previously convicted by a federal jury on February 27, 2013. Four of Farah’s co-conspirators were previously sentenced for their roles in the attack: Jama Idle Ibrahim (15 years in prison), Mohamed Ali Said (33 years), Mohamed Abdi Jama (life plus 30 years) and Abdicasiis Cabaase (life plus 30 years).

These defendants had also previously gone to sea in February 2010 with the purpose of capturing another vessel for ransom, but were instead, intercepted by the HMS Chatham of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy. The remaining pirate from the attack on the USS Ashland, Abdi Abshir Osman, was sentenced to life plus 10 years.