- Mohamad Youssef Hammoud, a convicted terrorist financier serving a 30-year sentence, was recently released under the First Step Act after serving 23 years.
- Hammoud was convicted in 2002 for providing material support to Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization, among other charges.
- The First Step Act, a criminal justice reform law, allowed Hammoud to request early release through the compassionate release statute.
- Despite opposition from the Biden administration, the U.S. District Court granted Hammoud’s request, citing a disparity in sentencing and the application of the “terrorism enhancement.”