Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Ahmed Alaahri was sentenced by United States District Judge Eric Komitee to 11 years in prison for kidnapping and sexually abusing a 17-year-old victim (John Doe). In March 2023, Alaahri and co-defendant Bilal Nagi, along with a co-conspirator (CC-1), lured John Doe into their car and filmed themselves restraining him after pulling off his clothing and brutally assaulting him. In February 2025, Alaahri and Nagi pleaded guilty to kidnapping. In August 2025, Nagi was sentenced to 17 ½ years in prison. Alaahri and Nagi are citizens of Yemen and both face deportation from the U.S. after the completion of their sentences.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Terence G. Reilly, Acting Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentences.
“The defendants’ lengthy prison sentences are well-deserved given their depraved and violent conduct,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “The sentences also make clear that crimes which brutalize, degrade, and exploit others, especially minors, will not be tolerated.”
“Ahmed Alaahri and Bilal Nagi kidnapped and sexually abused a minor victim in the backseat of their car using a weapon and threats to induce compliance. These defendants exploited a teenager’s terror by disseminating the recorded attack for further victimization and humiliation. May today’s sentencing serve as a reminder of the FBI’s promise to leverage its law enforcement partnerships against any individuals targeting minors,” stated FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Reilly.
According to court filings, on March 11, 2023, Alaahri, Nagi, and CC-1 kidnapped John Doe and sexually abused him. Nagi had contacted John Doe, a 17-year-old with whom he was acquainted, and arranged to pick him up at his home in Brooklyn, New York. Nagi arrived at John Doe’s home in a car with Alaahri in the front passenger seat and CC-1 in the backseat. When John Doe entered the car, Alaahri and CC-1 began punching him in the face while Nagi drove to Floyd Bennett Field located on federal park land in southeast Brooklyn.
Once at Floyd Bennett Field, the defendants continued to assault and humiliate John Doe. Eventually, John Doe’s pants were removed and Nagi began video recording John Doe with a cellphone. During the assault, Alaahri restrained John Doe in the backseat of the car. Alaahri then held a knife up to John Doe while Nagi further threatened John Doe, saying “you’re going to let me do whatever I want, or we’ll kill you.” John Doe was also told that there was a gun in the car. John Doe was ultimately released, but the defendants stole his cellphone and money. John Doe immediately called 911 to report the attack. Officers from the NYPD responded to his home and commenced an investigation.
Following the kidnapping and assault, Nagi disseminated a portion of the video on the Internet and through Instagram showing John Doe being restrained in the back seat of the car. In the video, John Doe is seen being restrained by Alaahri with his pants pulled down, exposing his genitals. After the defendants were arrested for a gunpoint robbery in the Bronx, law enforcement discovered portions of the kidnapping video on their cellphones. In a text message exchange found on one of the cellphones, Nagi discussed planning the kidnapping with CC-1.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes and National Security and Cybercrime Sections. Assistant United States Attorney Gilbert Rein is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant :
AHMED ALAAHRI
Age: 23
Brooklyn, New York
Co-Defendant Who Was Previously Sentenced :
BILAL NAGI
Age: 31
Bronx, New York
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-524 (EK)
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Eastern District of New York — U.S. Department of Justice press release.