Homaidan Al-Turki, Convicted of Sex Crimes and Imprisonment, Faces Deportation to Saudi Arabia
Homaidan Al-Turki, a Saudi Arabian national labeled a "criminal alien" and "suspected terrorist" by immigration authorities, is slated for deportation following his release from a Colorado jail. Al-Turki’s impending deportation stems from a 2006 conviction on multiple felony counts, including unlawful sexual contact, extortion, and theft, for which he served nearly two decades in prison.
Al-Turki’s case has been fraught with legal complexities, including allegations of inadequate legal representation during his initial trial and challenges to the validity of his felony convictions. Despite these challenges, authorities are proceeding with his deportation after reaching an agreement to amend some of the felony counts, contingent on his return to his home country.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took Al-Turki into custody immediately upon his release from the Arapahoe County Jail in Centennial, Colorado. ICE officials stated that Al-Turki is subject to a removal order dating back to 2013.
Al-Turki’s criminal history dates back to 2006 when a jury found him guilty of misdemeanor false imprisonment, misdemeanor conspiracy to commit false imprisonment, 11 counts of felony unlawful sexual contact, felony extortion, and felony theft of $15,000 or more. These charges stemmed from his treatment of his housekeeper, whom he held captive and repeatedly molested.
The severity of the unlawful sexual contact charges was a point of contention. Al-Turki’s original attorneys believed the convictions were for misdemeanor offenses, which would have carried a lighter sentence. However, the jury determined that the offenses involved physical force and violence, leading to the charges being enhanced to class 4 felonies.
Al-Turki was sentenced to multiple concurrent terms of six-years-to-life in prison on the felony counts and was ordered to complete sex offender treatment. However, he failed to participate in the treatment program, which delayed his release and subsequent deportation.
During his incarceration, Al-Turki filed numerous motions with the courts, alleging ineffective assistance of counsel. District Court Judge Eric White granted him a hearing, expressing concerns that Al-Turki’s defense counsel may not have fully understood the jury instructions, particularly the conditions under which misdemeanor unlawful sexual contact could be elevated to a felony conviction.
The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office agreed to amend some of the felony counts, with the understanding that Al-Turki would be deported to Saudi Arabia. He pleaded guilty and was immediately sentenced to concurrent terms of six years in the Colorado Department of Corrections, effectively time served due to his nearly 19 years in prison.
Colorado 18th Judicial District Assistant District Attorney Ryan Brackley acknowledged that the decision to amend the charges was difficult. He stated that it "strikes the right balance between ensuring that Al-Turki remains a convicted sex felon and is removed from our community, while at the same time considering the resources that have been expended in holding this defendant accountable."
ICE officials provided details about Al-Turki’s immigration history, stating that he first entered the U.S. at an unknown location in 1992 and left in 1993. He lawfully reentered again at an unknown location in 1994. In 2001, he was questioned about the 9/11 attacks and left the U.S. again at an unknown time and place. He lawfully reentered the U.S. again in 2002.
ICE officials stated that Al-Turki "won’t be welcome back to the United States again."
The case has drawn attention to the intersection of criminal justice, immigration enforcement, and national security concerns. The "criminal alien" and "suspected terrorist" labels attached to Al-Turki highlight the heightened scrutiny applied to individuals with a history of both criminal activity and potential ties to terrorism.
The case also raises questions about the effectiveness of legal representation and the fairness of the criminal justice system. Al-Turki’s allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel and the judge’s concerns about his defense team’s understanding of the jury instructions underscore the importance of ensuring that defendants receive competent legal representation.
The agreement to amend the charges in exchange for Al-Turki’s deportation raises questions about the prioritization of removing individuals from the country, even if it means potentially compromising the integrity of the criminal justice system.
The case also underscores the challenges of balancing the need to protect the community from dangerous individuals with the rights of individuals accused of crimes. The decision to deport Al-Turki reflects a determination that the risk he poses to the community outweighs the potential benefits of pursuing further legal action against him.
