A cleric from Pakistan plans to plead guilty to visa fraud charges in a plea deal with federal prosecutors that would give him probation.
Muhammad Masood is the former spiritual leader of the Islamic Centre of New EnglandÂ’s Sharon mosque. His lawyer says Masood is expected to plead guilty on Thursday to five charges of making false statements to immigration officials. A joint recommendation from MasoodÂ’s attorney and prosecutors calls for him to receive three years of probation, but it is unclear whether MasoodÂ’s guilty plea will result in his deportation. The arrest of Masood and another local imam on visa fraud charges in November 2006 prompted an outcry from the local Muslim community. |