He was also convicted of document fraud for obtaining a fake birth certificate for the child, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

TAMPA – A Brandon man was sentenced to 37 years in federal prison for crimes that included the sexual battering of his 12-year-old niece, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

Mirza Afzal Hussain, 56, of Brandon,  was found guilty by a federal jury on Jan. 11 after a one-week trial of enticement of a minor, document fraud, and aggravated identity theft. (For related story, click here.)

According to court documents and the evidence presented at trial, Hussain agreed to house his sister and her family, including two minor daughters, when the relatives legally immigrated to the United States from Bangladesh in 2010. Hussain’s relatives were culturally and socially isolated, did not have employment, lacked transportation, and spoke very little English. During their stay at his house, Hussain developed a romantic and sexual interest in his 12-year old niece. He bought the child tight fitting clothing, romantic jewelry, and cellphones. He also sexually battered his niece and started living with her openly as if she were his spouse—in front of her family and his wife.

Hussain’s wife left him, and, in early 2012, the relatives (including his 12-year-old niece), also moved out of his home. Hussain sent numerous sexually explicit text messages to his niece—professing his love for her and his intention to marry her, discussing sex with her, soliciting naked photographs from her, and asking her to masturbate for him. He also manipulated her into falsifying reports claiming that her parents were abusing her.

In November 2012, Hussain traveled to Bangladesh and obtained a false birth certificate that changed his niece’s birthdate, making her appear to be three years older. He returned to the U.S. and used that birth certificate fraudulently to obtain a new legal permanent resident card reflecting her new birth year. Hussain then showed up at his niece’s home and tried to take her away from her parents—presenting the legal permanent resident card as proof that she was an adult.

“This criminal put his own agenda first, hurting his own family. He thought he could get away with his despicable behavior by lying and blaming others for his actions,” said Homeland Security Investigations Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. “Thanks to our HSI special agents and law enforcement partners, a jury of his peers found him guilty and he will now be unable to harm anymore. His family can feel safe knowing justice has been served.”

U.S. Attorney | Crime | Courts | Tampabay News

#USAttorney #Crime #Courts #TampabayNews