Palmdale Man Sentenced to 3 Months for Smuggling Ancient Syrian Mosaic

A Palmdale man, Mohamad Yassin Alcharihi, has been sentenced to three months in federal prison after an eight-year legal battle over a 2,000-year-old mosaic illegally brought into the United States. Alcharihi was convicted of falsely declaring the value of the ancient artifact, which depicts Roman mythology, and was worth far more than he stated on customs paperwork.

The mosaic, believed to have been smuggled out of Syria, was seized by federal agents in March 2016 from Alcharihi’s garage. The piece, measuring 15 feet by 8 feet and weighing one ton, was shipped to the Port of Long Beach from Turkey in 2015. Alcharihi had declared it as Turkish ceramic tiles worth $2,199, but experts later valued the artifact at $450,000.

In addition to the three-month prison sentence, Alcharihi will serve one year of supervised release after completing his prison term. The court waived any fines, citing his inability to pay.

A Long Legal Battle

The legal journey began when Alcharihi bought the mosaic in August 2015 and had it shipped to the U.S. Federal agents raided his home in March 2016 and seized the mosaic. Alcharihi initially sought to regain possession of the artifact, but his petition was denied by the court in October 2016.

The case took several years to resolve, with delays attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and the complexity of the evidence. The U.S. Attorney’s Office explained that the defense needed time to review over 30,000 pages of documents, many of which were not in English. Alcharihi was ultimately convicted in June 2023, eight years after the initial seizure of the mosaic.

False Declarations and Antiquities Smuggling

Prosecutors argued that Alcharihi deliberately misrepresented the value of the mosaic to U.S. Customs officials. He paid approximately $12,000 for the artifact and an additional $40,000 for its restoration, but claimed on customs documents that it was worth only $2,199. In reality, experts estimated the value at $450,000.

Ciaran McEvoy, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, stated, “The three-month sentence is less than what the government requested, but we hope it sends a message that dealing in antiquities smuggling has serious consequences, including prison time.”

The U.S. government has strict import restrictions on archaeological material from Syria, especially in light of the country’s ongoing civil war and the destruction of cultural heritage by terrorist groups. “This case underscores the international effort to protect endangered cultural property and prevent illegal trafficking of historical artifacts,” McEvoy added.

Future of the Mosaic

The mosaic, which depicts the mythological figures Hercules and Prometheus, remains in a secure location. It is unclear whether the piece will eventually be returned to Syria. McEvoy noted that while the artifact is expected to be forfeited to the U.S. government, the process of repatriation is still uncertain.

“Whether the mosaic will be returned to Syria is too soon to tell,” McEvoy said. The court is expected to make a decision on the forfeiture in the coming months.

Alcharihi’s legal troubles may not be over, as he is expected to appeal the conviction. According to McEvoy, the appeal process could take up to two years.

Despite the relatively short prison sentence, the U.S. government hopes that this case will deter future smuggling of cultural artifacts. “It is vital to safeguard the world’s cultural heritage,” McEvoy said. “The theft and illegal trade of antiquities not only damages our understanding of history but also strains international relations.”

This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by countries and institutions trying to prevent the illegal trade of cultural treasures. With Syria’s rich history and current instability, protecting its artifacts from smuggling has become increasingly important.