Man held in Detroit won't reveal nationality

DETROIT, Michigan (CNN) -- One of three men indicted on charges of identity fraud refused to reveal his nationality in federal court when a U.S. Magistrate asked him twice to identify his native country.

Federal authorities said Friday they believe the man is Youseff Hmimssa, but he has several other known aliases, including Michael Saisa, Edgardo Colon, Patrick Vuillaume and "Jalai."

CNN.COM SPECIAL REPORT  CNN NewsPass Video  Agencies reportedly got hijack tips in 1998  MORE STORIES Intelligence intercept led to Buffalo suspects Report cites warnings before 9/11  EXTRA INFORMATION Timeline: Who Knew What and When? Interactive: Terror Investigation Terror Warnings System Most wanted terrorists What looks suspicious? In-Depth: America Remembers In-Depth: Terror on Tape In-Depth: How prepared is your city?  RESOURCES On the Scene: Barbara Starr: Al Qaeda hunt expands? On the Scene: Peter Bergen: Getting al Qaeda to talk

When U.S. District Court Magistrate Virginia Morgan asked Hmimssa Thursday afternoon how old he was, he responded, in English, that he is 30 years old. But he stood mute and bowed his head when she asked him to tell the court his native country.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Convertino said his office has not been able to definitively determine if the man in custody is indeed Youseff Hmimssa. He said the man has asserted in the past he was a native of Morocco.

"We're not positive if he is actually Youseff Hmimssa or where he is from," said Convertino.

Convertino added that it is important for the court to know Hmimssa's native country so authorities can determine jurisdiction issues with that country before criminal proceedings continue.

Hmissa resided in Dearborn, although no time frame of his residency has been released. He was arrested in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on September 28, and was later indicted on charges of identity fraud, misuse of visas, and conspiracy to commit identity fraud.

Because Hmimssa had just arrived in Detroit from Iowa, his court-appointed attorney, Stephen Rabaut, requested Hmimssa's arraignment be adjourned for a week. Rabaut said he had not had a chance to meet with his client nor to fully discuss the charges against him.

Magistrate Morgan agreed to adjourn the arraignment, which will be held Wednesday October 17.

Risk of flight?

Two other men indicted on the same charges -- Karim Koubriti, 23, and Ahmed Hannan, 33, both resident aliens of Arab descent -- appeared in court Thursday as well, as their attorneys appealed an order to detain them.

Koubriti and Hannan and a third man, Farouk Ali-Haimoud, were arrested September 17 from their apartment in southwest Detroit. A federal affidavit states agents found false identification documents, passport photos and a day planner with Arabic notations about a U.S. military base in Turkey, as well as what appeared to be drawings of flight paths for an airport.

Koubriti, who told agents about the false identification documents when they searched his apartment, said they belonged to Hmimssa.

When Judge Rosen asked Convertino if there was evidence relating Koubriti and Hannan to Hmimssa, Convertino said yes, but that he was not ready to divulge that information to the court at this time.

"There may be evidence linking the defendants (Koubriti and Hanan) to certain documents recovered in the house," he said.

Convertino argued that their risk of flight and lack of ties in Detroit and America was compelling evidence that Koubriti and Hannan should remain jailed as the case proceeds.

Rosen agreed but ordered the case must proceed swiftly.

Charges against the third man arrested in Detroit, Farouk Ali-Haimoud, were dismissed, and he was released from federal custody Wednesday.