MN Man Who Fled To Arab Emirates Pleads Guilty To Child Porn Charges

MINNEAPOLIS — A former fugitive who fled to the United Arab Emirates and was extradited to the United States had pleaded guilty to several child pornography charges, U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger announced Friday.

Ibrahim Ghassan Sleyman, 30, admitted to attempted production and production of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, and enticement of a minor.

Federal investigators have so far identified at least 22 children who Sleyman solicited and used to produce and receive child pornography and attempted to entice to engage in unlawful sexual acts.

Prosecutors are asking that if believe you or your child have been victimized by Sleyman to contact the FBI Tip Line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

Between October 2020 and March 2023, Sleyman used Snapchat and other messaging apps to solicit sexually explicit material and sex acts from minors, some as young as nine years old, according to authorities.

Sleyman also groomed and enticed a child to produce child pornography and engage in sexual activity with Sleyman by providing the minor with drugs and gifts, investigators said.

Sleyman became aware of law enforcement’s investigation and on Sept. 6, 2022, fled to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, according to authorities.

While Sleyman was a fugitive in the UAE, he continued to use Snapchat to engage in sexually explicit conversations with minors in the U.S., investigators said.

Sleyman was extradited by the UAE on Sept. 15 and was immediately taken into federal custody.