Judge Dismisses Charges Against Suspects Arrested At New Mexico Compound

A district judge has dismissed all the child abuse charges against three of the suspects who were arrested at a remote compound in the New Mexico desert. District Judge Emilio Chavez ruled that prosecutors failed to hold an evidentiary hearing to establish probable cause within ten days as required by state law. Judge Chavez dropped all of the charges against Lucas Morton, Subhannah Wahhaj, and Hujrah Wahhaj, while Judge Jeff McElroy dropped some of the charges against Siraj Ibn Wahhaj and Jany Leveille during a separate hearing. 

The five individuals were arrested at a makeshift compound in the New Mexico desert following a months-long investigation into a missing child from Georgia. Authorities found 11 children living in deplorable conditions at the site. The children were put into protective custody, while the five adults were taken to jail. They were granted conditional release following their arrest but remained behind bars because they were unable to find appropriate accommodations. 

Police allege that Siraj Ibn Wahhaj kidnapped his disabled son and brought him to the compound to perform an exorcism. Authorities found the body of the three-year-old boy when they searched the area. They also accused the group of training their children to perform school shootings and taught them how to use firearms. 

Prosecutors could still seek charges against the five individuals by presenting their evidence to a grand jury. 


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